PLAIN FACTS FOR 
FUTURE CITIZENS 



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SHARPE 



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AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY 



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Book _ — ___2i^__ 
Copyright N? 



COPYRJGHT DEPOSIT. 



PLAIN FACTS FOR 
FUTURE CITIZENS 




Thousands have died for it, 
Millions defend it ; 
Emblem of justice and mercy to all. 
— Oliver W. Holmes. 



PLAIN FACTS FOR 
FUTURE CITIZENS 

BY 

MARY F. SHARPE 

TEACHER OF ENGLISH TO IMMIGRANTS 

IN" THE DAY AND EVENING SCHOOLS 

ROCHESTER, N. V. 

AUTHOR OF 
"A FIRST READER FOR FOREIGNERS" 




AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY 

NEW YORK CINCINNATI CHICAGO 



4ftf 



*1 



COPYRIGHT, 1914, BY 

MAKY F. SHAEPE. 

Copyright, 1914, in Great Britain. 



PLAIN FACTS. 
E. P. I 



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SIP ~3 /9/4 



CU380208 



BeMcatefc 

TO 

SAMUEL P. MOULTHROP 

WASHINGTON SCHOOL, ROCHESTER, N.Y. 

THROUGH WHOSE KINDLY INTEREST AND EXEMPLARY 

TEACHING, NUMBERLESS IMMIGRANTS HAVE 

BEEN LED TO THE GOAL OF 

GOOD CITIZENSHIP 



INTRODUCTION 

The path of the non- English-speaking immigrant in 
America is bestrewn with many difficulties. A stranger 
in a strange land, this newcomer finds himself face to face 
with trials of which he little dreamed when he left his 
native domicile in search of home and happiness in a 
new land. 

Surrounded by unfamiliar scenes, confronted by strange 
customs and a strange language, many an immigrant 
is so perplexed by the situation that his embarrassment 
results in serious complications for himself and others. 

Not only is the immigrant handicapped by his inability 
to understand and speak the English language, but his 
ignorance of American customs sometimes causes him in- 
nocently to become a transgressor of law and order. 

Only by those who have a full appreciation of the strug- 
gle made by the immigrant to overcome the obstacles 
which fill his early life in America is it thoroughly under- 
stood that violations of our laws and ordinances are more 
often the result of ignorance or misunderstanding on the 
part of the transgressor than any desire of his to break the 
laws of the country in which he has chosen to seek a home. 

And it is the earnest belief of those who have a most 
intimate knowledge of these strangers in our land that it 
is the hope and wish of the vast majority of them to fit 
themselves to become worthy citizens of their new home. 

To overcome some of the difficulties and embarrass- 
ments by which the early life of the immigrant in America 
is beset, it is essential that he be made to understand, as 
soon as possible, something of the customs and institutions 
which govern life in America. 

This cannot be done suddenly ; for, of course, before he 

7 



8 INTRODUCTION 

can be made to understand anything of the laws and cus- 
toms by which our country is governed he must under- 
stand something of the language of the country. 

He must be made to understand that the first duty he 
owes himself and his new homeland is to begin at once 
the study of English. 

Simultaneously with his first lessons in English he must 
be taught that right living leads to good citizenship. 

He must be made to realize that respect for others, and 
for the rights of others, as well as for himself is the first 
step in the right direction. 

He must be taught that care for his health and for his 
personal appearance are prime factors in promoting his 
self-respect and in gaining the respect of others. 

Personal observation during years of teaching English 
to foreigners in both day and evening schools has given 
the author a clear insight into the needs of these people. 

This book is the outgrowth of the experience gained 
with evening school pupils, and each lesson has been prac- 
tically tested, with satisfactory results. 

For immigrants who have a slight knowledge of English 
as well as for those who have acquired more proficiency 
in the use of the language, the book is designed, and it is 
its aim to give such assistance to the pupil as will enable 
him to understand his duty toward himself, toward his 
neighbor, and toward the country of his adoption. 

The lessons have been carefully planned and arranged 
to meet the aim of the book, and in helping the immigrant 
to understand his obligations to his country, his fellow- 
man, and himself, it is hoped that they will do much 
toward helping him to overcome some of the difficulties 
by which he finds himself embarrassed, and also to assist 
him in realizing his wish to become a happy individual as 
well as a good and useful citizen. 



INTRODUCTION 9 

To carry out the design of the book the subjects have 
been arranged in logical order. 

Proceeding from the simple to the more difficult, the 
vocabulary employed includes such words as will meet the 
needs of the pupil as he gains power to use and compre- 
hend the lessons presented. 

In the first chapters, in lessons on the home, family, 
body, health, personal hygiene, etc., instruction is given 
on the value of self-respect, the necessity of respect for 
others, the advantage of good health, the great importance 
of personal cleanliness, care of clothing, selection of food, 
necessity of work, pure air, exercise, rest, etc., — and 
through these early lessons it is designed to help the im- 
migrant physically, mentally, and morally on his way to 
good citizenship. 

When he has learned what constitutes the foundation 
of good citizenship, the immigrant must be taught that 
respect for the ordinances and laws of his city is an indis- 
pensable requirement. 

He should then be instructed in the fundamental laws 
which govern his city, and he should be taught something 
of the various departments of city government. 

With a view to inculcating civic pride, he should be 
impressed with the many advantages and benefits given 
by his city government. 

He should then be instructed on how the city cares for 
the health, property, and lives of its citizens. 

In a series of chapters on municipal government, the 
various departments and the duties of the officials who 
carry on the work of these departments, it is intended to 
furnish valuable lessons in the rudiments of civics. 

In succeeding chapters, lessons on state government, 
various important state officials and their respective duties 
are given with a view to a more extensive study of civics. 



10 INTRODUCTION 

Lessons on the great advantages given by the United 
States government to its people are intended to bring be- 
fore the immigrant a full realization of the necessity of 
using every means offered by the government to fit him- 
self to merit and enjoy these advantages. 

The importance of employing all available time in learn- 
ing to speak, read, and write English is shown in lessons 
on education, the newspaper, public library, evening 
school, etc. 

While giving the pupil valuable information, it is hoped 
that the lessons on America, first settlers, etc., may culti- 
vate in him a wholesome curiosity to know more of the 
history of the country and more of the lives of the men 
who helped to make the country. 

The lessons on How America became the United States 
are given with the hope that they may instill in the mind 
of the pupil some idea of the high price paid for American 
freedom. 

To bring him to a better understanding of the meaning 
of American liberty, and to teach him that our true liberty 
is founded upon law and order, it is thought well to ac- 
quaint him with something of the character of the men 
who declared independence for America. 

While each lesson is intended as a preparation for cit- 
izenship, the closing chapters furnish a basis for special 
instruction on naturalization, how to prepare for natural- 
ization, qualifications for admission to citizenship, etc. 

Throughout the book, from beginning to end, while giv- 
ing the pupil practice in reading and power to use the 
English language, each chapter is intended to give him 
useful information as well as to convey to him a lesson of 
moral value, which it is hoped will guide him in safety 
and happiness along the pathway to good citizenship. 

MARY F. SHARPE. 



CONTENTS 



LESSON PAGE 

1. The Family 15 

2. The Home 17 

3. My Body 21 

4. Good Health ........ 22 

5. Food 24 

6. Rest 26 

7. Exercise 28 

8. Personal Cleanliness . . . . . 30 

9. Sleep 35 

10. Be Strong Procter 38 

11. The Immigrant's Story 39 

12. A Promise to a Friend 42 

13. My Letter 43 

14. My Letter {Continued) 45 

15. A Foreign-born Citizen's Story ... 47 

16. A Stranger in America 50 

17. America Smith 53 

18. Work in a Factory . . . . . .55 

19. Law and Government . . . .59 

20. City Government 62 

21. The Charter ...... 64 

22. Three Main Departments . 67 

23. The Mayor 70 

24. Various Departments . . . .72 

25. Judicial Department . . . .75 

li 



12 CONTENTS 

LESSON PAGE 

26. Police Protection 77 

27. Duties of Police Officers .... 79 

28. Fire Protection 83 

29. Fire Precaution .85 

30. City Health Department . . . .88 

31. Health Inspectors 89 

32. Food Inspection 92 

33. Street Cleaning 94 

34. City Taxes 98 

35. A Visit to a Public Market . . .101 

36. Hospitals . . . . . . . .104 

37. Playgrounds . . . . . . . 108 

38. At the Shoe Store Ill 

39. One by One Procter 115 

40. State Government — The Constitution . 117 

41. Legislative Department .... 121 

42. The Chief Executive Officer . . 124 

43. Important Executive Officers . . 126 

44. Judicial Department . . . .129 

45. Courts and Judges . . . . 131 

46. Education 133 

47. Evening Schools 137 

48. The Public Library 140 

49. The Newspaper 144 

50. The Builders .... Longfellow 147 

51. A Visit to a Department Store . . .149 

52. The United States 154 

53. First Settlers in America . . . .156 

54. How America became the United States . 160 



CONTENTS 



13 



55. Why the Constitution was Needed 

56. Our First President 

57. Two Signers of the Declaration 

58. A Framer of the Constitution 

59. The American Flag . 

60. The National Government 

61. Congress 

62. The President . 

63. United States Cabinet 

64. Judicial Department 

65. United States Postal Service 

66. Advice to Immigrants 

67. How the Government Protects its Citizens 

68. Whom does the Government Protect? 

69. What Citizens are entitled to . 

70. Duties of American Citizens 

71. The Rights and Duties of Aliens 

72. Naturalization . . . 

73. The Declaration of Intention . 

74. Preparation for Naturalization . 

75. Can All Aliens become Citizens? 

76. Aliens who are Denied Citizenship 

77. how to apply for first papers . 

78. Proof of Arrival in America 

79. Full Naturalization 

80. Votes and Voters .... 

81. How Voters helped to save the Union 



164 
166 
170 
174 
177 
181 
183 
185 
188 
191 
193 
197 
199 
201 
203 
205 
208 
209 
211 
214 
216 
217 
219 
223 
229 
231 
234 




A Family 



PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE 
CITIZENS 





LESSON 1 






The Family 




parents 


man 


children 


husband 


father 


woman 


boy 


wife 


mother 


male 


girl 


brother 


papa 


female 


son 


sister 


mamma 


child 


daughter 


baby 



The family is made up of husband, wife, and 
children. 

The husband is a man and is the father of the 
children. 

The wife is a woman and is the mother of the 
children. 

The father and mother are the parents. 

In some families there are only the father, 
mother, and one child. 

Many families are larger and are made up of 
parents and several children, boys and girls. 

15 



16 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

The male children, or boys, are called sons. 

The female children, or girls, are called daughters. 

The boys are the brothers; the girls are the 
sisters. 

A good father is ever watchful of his wife and 
children. 

The good father provides a home for his family, 
and he tries to keep them from harm. 

The father works every day and earns money 
with which to support his family. 

A good mother loves her husband and children. 

She takes good care of her family and does the 
work in the home. 

The mother does the cleaning, cooking, washing, 
sewing, and baking for the family. 

Sometimes when sickness or death comes to 
the husband, the wife has to work outside of the 
home in order to earn the money needed for the 
support of the family. 

Besides the members of our own family there 
are other persons whom we call our relatives or 
kinsfolk. 

Some families have many relatives, others have 
but few. 



THE 


HOME 


grandfather 


grandmother 


grandson 


granddaughter 


father-in-law 


mother-in-law 


son-in-law 


daughter-in-law 


brother-in-law 


sister-in-law 


uncle 


aunt 


nephew 


niece 


cousin 


cousin 


LESSON 2 


The Home 



17 



tidy welfare dwelling property- 
pleasant obey citizenship honor 
healthful respect instruct trained 
clean respectable truthful playmates 
orderly healthy justice surroundings 



The home is the dwelling place of the family. 

To keep a family well, healthy, and happy, the 
home must be kept in a healthful, pleasant, and 
happy condition. 

To have a healthful, pleasant home, the house 
must be kept clean and orderly. 

To have a clean and orderly house, the children 



18 



PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 




must be taught to keep themselves and their sur- 
roundings clean and tidy. 

To have a happy home the family should love 
one another, and do all in their power to help 
one another. 

The best and happiest kind of home is the one 
in which there is good government, love, respect, 
and obedience. 

The children in the home should be trained 



THE HOME 19 

to respect and obey their parents, and to be kind 
to their brothers, sisters, and playmates. 

Parents should teach their children to respect 
their neighbors and their neighbors' property. 

To have a happy and pleasant home the chil- 
dren should be taught to be respectful, obedient, 
and kind. There are also other reasons why 
they should be so taught. 

For the welfare of the child, and for the sake 
of justice to others, each child in the family should 
be taught to be respectful, obedient, kind, and 
truthful. 

It is in the home that the first lessons in good 
citizenship should be learned. 

Careful training received from the good father 
and mother will not only help to keep the family 
happy, but it will prepare the boys and girls in 
the family to become good, respectable citizens. 

The boys and girls who are taught to be orderly, 
truthful and kind, obedient and respectful to 
parents and teachers, to have respect for their 
neighbors and their neighbors' property, will in 
time become good citizens, an honor to them- 
selves and to their parents. 

PLAIN FACTS 2 



20 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 



EYELIDS 
EAR 
CHEEK 



.FOREHEAD 
.EYEBROWS 

' [ NOSE 
...LIPS 

■ CHIN 



5HOUL0E 








MY BODY 


21 






LESSON 3 








My Body 




flesh 


lungs 


eyelids throat 


trunk 


bones 


heart 


contains stomach 


liver 


eyebrows 


connects 


unites attached 


cavity 


important 


abdomen 


forehead highest 


intestines 



My body is made up of flesh and bones. 

The highest part of my body is my head. 

My face is a part of my head. 

My face contains my forehead, ears, eyes, 
eyebrows, eyelids, nose, lips, cheeks, and chin. 

The part just below my head is my neck. 

My neck unites my head and my trunk. 

The front of my neck* is called my throat. 

The largest part of my body is my trunk. 

My shoulders and chest are on the upper part 
of my trunk. 

The cavity within my chest contains my lungs 
and my heart. 

The lower part of my trunk is named the 
abdomen. 

The cavity within my abdomen contains my 
liver, stomach, intestines, and other parts. 



22 



PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 



I have a pair of arms ; each arm has an elbow 
and a wrist. 

Each wrist unites a forearm and a hand. 

I have a right and a left hand; each hand 
has four fingers and a thumb. 

I have two legs, each of which has a thigh, a 
knee, and an ankle. 

My legs support my; body, and are attached to 
the lower part of my trunk. 

I have a right and a left foot, each foot has a 
heel, a sole, and five toes. 

My ankles unite my feet and my legs. 

My body is made up of many parts, and each 
part of my body has important work to do. 





LESSON 4 






Good Health 




depends 


successfully 


build 


soundly 


succeed 


nourished 


hope 


mind 


vigorous 


fatigued 


exercise 


cheerful 


power 


enjoy 


sound 


wholesome 



If I would have a strong body, I must have good 
health. 



GOOD HEALTH 23 

My health depends upon the care I give my 
body. To have good health I must take good 
care of my body. 

If my health is good, I am well. 

To be able to care for myself I must be well. 

To be of use to others my health must be good. 

I must have good health if I would enjoy life. 

If I would help others enjoy life, I must have 
good health. 

To do my work successfully I must be in good 
health. 

My health must be good if I would help others 
succeed. 

To be well and strong my body must be well 
nourished. 

To have a well-nourished body I must eat 
plenty of wholesome food. 

To build up and keep a strong body I must : — 

Have plenty of exercise. 

Rest when I am fatigued. 

Sleep soundly at night. 

Work, exercise, and sleep in fresh air. 

Keep my body and my mind clean. 

Be cheerful and help others to be cheerful. 



24 



PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 



LESSON 5 

Food 

nourishing decayed vegetables stale 

strengthening cooked eaten spoils 

excellent unripe cereal wilted 

properly unwholesome regularly necessary 

ripe baked chewed condition 




To be strong our bodies must be well nourished. 
Wholesome food nourishes the body. 
Good meat, fresh eggs, good butter, and pure 
milk are nourishing food. 
Fresh fish is excellent food. 



FOOD 25 

If we eat fish, we must be sure that it is fresh. 

Vegetables, when fresh and ripe, are good food. 

Wilted or decayed vegetables should never be 
eaten. 

Fresh, ripe fruit is wholesome food. 

Decayed fruit and unripe fruit are both unwhole- 
some and should not be eaten. 

Rice, corn meal, barley, oatmeal, and wheat 
are called cereals. They are very wholesome 
food when properly cooked. 

Well-baked bread is very nourishing food. 

All foods, to be wholesome, must be cooked in 
the proper way. 

Improper cooking spoils the most wholesome 
food and makes it unwholesome. 

Drink is as necessary as food, if we would keep 
our bodies in a healthy condition. 

Pure water and pure milk are the best drinks 
for young or old. 

We must drink plenty of water every day, if we 
would keep well. 

Clean, fresh, pure milk is a very nourishing 
drink, and is good for babies, children, old persons, 
and everybody. 



26 



PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 



To have our food do us good we must eat 
enough, but not too much. 

We must eat our meals regularly. 

Our meals must be eaten slowly and our food 
must be chewed well. 





LESSON 6 








Rest 




muscles 


tired 


rested 


ill 


continually 


nerves 


studying 


change 


wearing 


study 


unable 


rest 


repaired 


awhile 


need 


know 


exhausted 


ample 


labor 


completely 



Our bodies are continually wearing out, and 
if we would enjoy good health, we must give them 
ample time to be repaired. 

If we labor all the time, we soon become tired. 

When our nerves and muscles become tired, 
they need to be rested. 

If we study all the time, we soon become tired. 

When our eyes and heads become fatigued from 
studying, we need to rest them for a while. 

Some persons work so long and so hard, taking 
no rest, that they become completely exhausted. 



REST 



27 



If one becomes exhausted from overwork, he 
is likely to become ill and be unable to work at all. 

It is better to take enough rest each day and 
keep well than to work too long and become ill. 

Sometimes a change 
of work will rest us. 

Sometimes we have 
worked too long 
and are too tired 
for a change of 
work to rest us. 

If we would have 
our rest do us good, 
we must learn how 
and when to rest. 

When one is tired of sitting, it is a good plan 
to stand or walk awhile. 

When one has become tired of walking or stand- 
ing, it is a good plan to sit awhile. 

When one is tired of reading or studying, it is 
well to do some work with the hands. 

We all know that we must work to live. We 
should learn also that we must have plenty of 
rest if we would live to do our work well. 




Restful Recreation. 



28 



PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 





LESSON 7 






* 


Exercise 




air 


overdone 


s harmful 


recreation 


free 


football 


appetite 


beneficial 


regular 


baseball 


afterwards 


moderately 


quickly 


games 


circulation 


swimming 


duties 


skating 


rowing 


vigorously 



Without healthful exercise our bodies cannot 
be strong and well. 

Exercise, to be healthful, 
must be taken in fresh air. 

Exercise must 
also be taken 
moderately and j 
regularly. 

To exercise 
moderately means i NDOOR exercise. 

that we must not exercise too long or too hard. 

To exercise too vigorously or for too long a 
time is as harmful as not to exercise enough. 

We should exercise regularly. It is not well to 
exercise for a few days and then to go several 
days without any exercise. 




EXERCISE 29 

Time should be taken each day for regular exer- 
cise in the fresh air. 

Good exercise in fresh air makes the muscles 
stronger. 

To keep the blood in free circulation one must 
have plenty of healthful exercise. 



*>! 







Outdoor Games. 

Exercising in fresh air will give one a good 
appetite. 

When a person has a good appetite, he enjoys 
his food, and his food does him good. 

Walking in the fresh air is wholesome exercise. 

If our shop is not too far from our home, it is 
better to walk than to take a car to our work. 

Skating is excellent exercise, but one must be 
careful not to cool off too quickly afterwards. 



30 



PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 



Swimming and rowing are very pleasant rec- 
reations as well as being excellent forms of 
exercise. 

Baseball, football, and basket ball are good 
games for giving those who play them whole- 
some exercise. 

There are many ways of getting wholesome exer- 
cise while we are busy about our everyday duties. 

We may turn our work about our homes and 
yards into healthful exercise, but we should re- 
member that our exercises, to be beneficial, must 
not be overdone. 

"A healthfully active mind makes the body health- 
ful." — Spalding. 





LESSON 8 






Personal Cleanliness 




comfortable 


ourselves frequent 


refreshes 


unless 


ache neatly 


unsound 


bathe 


thoroughly appearance 


particular 


shampoo 


constantly perspire 


waste 


associated 


frequently occasional 


perspiration 



An unclean body cannot be a healthy body. 
An unclean body cannot be a comfortable body. 



PERSONAL CLEANLINESS 



31 



To be healthy, comfortable, and able to do our 
work well our bodies must be kept clean. 

To be respected by others and to have respect 
for ourselves we must keep our bodies clean. 

Frequent bathing helps to keep the body clean. 




In the Bathroom. 

Bathing not only helps to keep the body clean 
and healthy, but it refreshes and makes the body 
more comfortable. 

When we are very tired, a good bath helps to 
rest us. 

Our bodies are constantly throwing off waste 
matter. 



32 



PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 



This waste matter is called perspiration. 

When we exercise freely, our bodies perspire 
freely. 

When our bodies become heated by any exer- 
tion, we perspire freely. 

The perspiration passes off through the skin. 

If we would keep the skin clean, it is very neces- 
sary to bathe frequently. 







For the Teeth. 



Plenty of good soap, water, and clean towels 
are necessary when one takes a bath. 

To be well and to look well we must not only 
keep the skin clean, but we must keep the teeth, 
hair, and finger nails clean. 

If our food is to do us good, we must chew it 
well. 



PERSONAL CLEANLINESS 33 

We cannot chew our food well if our teeth are 
unsound. 

We cannot look well if our teeth are dirty or 
decayed. 

We cannot be comfortable if our teeth ache. 

Good sound teeth are very necessary to good 
health, good looks, and comfort. 

No person can have good sound teeth unless he 
keeps them clean. 

To keep the teeth clean one must brush them 
thoroughly and regularly. 

To keep the teeth clean they should be well 
brushed every night and morning. 

If possible, we should brush our teeth after each 
meal. 

To present a neat and tidy appearance one 
must be particular about the condition of his 
hair. 

An occasional shampoo with a thorough comb- 
ing and brushing two or three times a day will 
keep the hair in good condition. 

Every person should be careful about his finger 
nails if he would have his hands look good. 

The finger nails should be trimmed neatly ; and 



34 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

every one should avoid the habit of biting his 
finger nails. 

Biting the finger nails is an unclean habit. It 
also spoils the looks of the fingers. 

Brushing and cleaning the finger nails several 
times a day will keep them in good condition. 




For the Nails. 

We have learned that to be healthy we must 
have clean bodies; we must also remember that 
clean clothing is necessary to our good health and 
comfort. 

Let us remember that clean clothing not only 
adds to our personal comfort, but by helping us 
to make a good appearance it does much toward 
gaining for us the respect of those with whom we 
are associated. 

" Cleanliness is next to godliness/ ' 



SLEEP 35 





LESSON 


9 






Sleep 






fagged 


meant 


require 


pure 


brains 


top 


deprived 


extra 


necessary 


bottom 


breathe 


grown 


suffer 


aired 


weakens 


loss 



As we must have nourishing food and healthful 
exercise to make the body strong, we must have 
sleep to keep the body strong. 

If we want our bodies and our brains to be well 
and to keep well, we must have enough sleep. 

As sleep is just as necessary to good health as 
food is, so to do us good and keep us in good health 
our sleep must be refreshing. 

What is meant by refreshing sleep ? 

Sound sleep rests and refreshes the body. 

To sleep soundly and well we must not be too 
tired when we go to bed. 

If we wish to sleep soundly and well, we must 
not eat or drink just before going to bed. 

To enjoy sound sleep we should have a com- 
fortable bed. 

PLAIN FACTS — 3 



36 



PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 



A bed, to be comfortable, must be clean and warm. 
To sleep comfortably our night clothes should 
be clean and well aired. 




Fresh Air while Sleeping. 

If we breathe bad air while we are sleeping, our 
sleep will do us no good. 

Sleeping in bad air weakens the body, while 
sleeping in pure air refreshes the body. 

If we would be well and strong, we must 
breathe fresh air all the time we are asleep. 



SLEEP 37 

How can we breathe fresh air all the time we are 
sleeping ? 

To have fresh air coming into our bedrooms 
all the time we are sleeping, we must keep our 
bedroom windows open a little at the top and 
bottom to have a circulation of fresh air in the 
room. 

How much sleep do we require? 

Full-grown men and women need to sleep about 
eight hours in every twenty-four hours, while 
children require more than eight hours' sleep. 

Can anything take the place of sleep, or make 
up for the loss of sleep ? 

Sleep is so important to health that nothing' 
can take its place. 

When we are deprived of sleep for a time, we 
must make up for its loss by taking extra sleep 
or our bodies and brains will become fagged and 
we will suffer in health of body and mind. 

If we eat enough good food, drink plenty of 
pure water, rest when we are tired, sleep soundly 
at night, breathe plenty of fresh air, take enough 
healthful exercise, keep our bodies and our minds 
clean, we may hope to be well, strong, and happy. 



38 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

LESSON 10 
Be Strong 

Be strong to hope, Heart ! 

Though day is bright, 
The stars can only shine 

In the dark night. 
Be strong, Heart of mine, 

Look towards the light ! 

Be strong to bear, Heart ! 

Nothing is vain ; 
Strive not, for life is care, 

And God sends pain ; 
Heaven is above, and there 

Rest will remain ! 

Be strong to love, Heart ! 

Love knows not wrong ; 
Didst thou love creatures even 

Life were not long ; 
Didst thou love God in heaven 

Thou wouldst be strong. 

— Adelaide A. Procter. 



THE IMMIGRANT'S STORY 



39 



LESSON 11 
The Immigrant's Story 



ocean 


faster 


countries 


country 


longer 


during 


lonesome 


journey 


strangers 


violent 


luck 


miles 


foreign 


search 


cheer 


shore 


crossed 


ago 


travel 


passengers 




A Large Steamship. 

Not long ago we were all strangers in a strange 
land. 

We had come here from foreign countries. 

We had been living on the other side of the ocean. 

Our homes were many, many miles from here. 



40 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

When we left our homes, we crossed the ocean 
in large steamships. 

Some steamships travel faster than others, so 
some of us were on the ocean longer than others. 

Some of us had fine weather during our trip; 
others were made very ill by violent storms while 
on the ocean. 

On the steamships with us were many men, 
women, and children. 

Men who had left wives and children at home 
were coming to America to make new homes for 
their families. 

Some families were coming to America to meet 
fathers and brothers who had been living some 
years in this country. 

Wives were crossing the ocean to meet husbands 
who had left their old homes many years before 
in search of work in America. 

We all knew we were coming to a good country, 
but some of us were very lonesome on account of 
the homes and friends that we had left behind. 

As we were about to leave, many people came to 
our sailing port to say good-by to us, and to wish 
us godspeed and good luck in our new home. 



THE IMMIGRANT'S STORY 41 

After we had been a few days on the ocean many 
of us wished we had not started, and we wanted 
to go back. 

But, of course, no one could go back at that 
time. 

As the days passed we became more and more 
lonesome. 

Some of the passengers on the steamship had 
been to America, and they tried to cheer us by 
telling us many good things about the country to 
which we were going. 

The many good things that they told us about 
America helped to cheer us. 

When, at last, the long journey came to an end 
and we saw the shores of America, we forgot to 
be lonesome. 

Now we are glad we came to this country. 

We all like America, and we want to learn to 
live here as good Americans should. 

"Firm, united, let us be ! 
Rallying round our liberty, 
As a band of brothers joined, 
Peace and safety we shall find." 



42 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 





LESSON 12 






A Promise 


to a Friend 




anxious 


follow 


requested ■ 


voyage 


friends 


account 


arrival 


native 


trip 


impressions 


employment 


promised 


success 


experiences 


early 


left 



When I came to this country, I left many friends 
in my old home. 

Some of my friends wanted to come to America, 
and said they would follow me soon. 

One friend was very anxious to follow me to 
this country, but said he wanted to learn more 
about America before leaving his native land. 

My friend requested me to write to him and 
tell him how I liked America. 

I promised to write to my friend and tell him 
all about my ocean voyage and all about my 
arrival in this country. 

I promised to write about my first impressions of 
America. 

I promised to tell my friend of my success in 
finding work to do and of my experience during 
my early days in my new home. 





MY LETTER 


43 




LESSON 13 






My Letter 




immigrate 


eager industrious 


finished 


authorities 


undesirable examined 


unfit 


admitted 


unfortunate welcome 


acquaintances 


honest 


compel willing 


pitiable 


desirable 


opportunity unwelcome 


port 



I did not write my friend immediately after 
my arrival in New York city. 

I waited until I had learned something about 
life and work in America. 

I then wrote a long letter to my friend. 

I told him of my ocean voyage and of my arrival 
in port. 

I wrote an account of what I saw at Ellis 
Island, where immigrants are detained for ex- 
amination. 

I wrote of the very rigid examination given 
immigrants by the examiners at Ellis Island. 

I told my friend what kind of immigrants are 
welcome, and what class of immigrants are un- 
welcome in the United States. 

I wrote of the many undesirable foreigners who 



44 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

immigrate to America and who are not allowed 
to land in this country. 

My letter told of the unfortunate and pitiable 
condition of many persons whom the United States 




Examination at Ellis Island. 

immigration authorities compel to return to their 
native countries because they are unfit to be ad- 
mitted to the United States. 

I told my friend about the opportunities await- 
ing honest, industrious immigrants who are will- 



MY LETTER 



45 



ing to work and eager to become good American 
citizens. 

I wrote of how the United States government 
welcomes all immigrants who can show that they 
will become desirable citizens. 

I asked my friend to tell his friends and acquaint- 
ances of all I had written about America. 



LESSON 14 
My Letter (Continued) 



deposited 


appointed 


address 


stamp 


sealed 


envelope 


relatives 


waiting 


postage 


finished 


folded 


front 


corner 


right 


left 


collected 


post office 


sorted 


postmarked 


carriers 



When my letter was finished, I folded it and 
put it in an envelope. 

I sealed the envelope and wrote the name and 
address of my friend upon the front of it. 

I put a postage stamp in the upper right-hand 
corner of the envelope. 

I wrote my own name and address in the upper 
left-hand corner of the envelope. 



46 



PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 



I deposited my letter in a mail box. 
At the appointed time the postman came down 
the street and collected the mail. 

My letter was 
taken with other 
letters to the post 
office. 

At the post 
office the letters 
were assorted and 
postmarked. 

Some of the 
letters were then 
sent by letter 
carriers to per- 
sons living in my 
city. 

Some of the 
letters were taken 
by train to other cities in this country. 

My letter was sent with other letters to an ocean 
steamship. 

The steamship crossed the ocean and carried 
our letters to foreign countries. 




The Mail Box. 



A FOREIGN-BORN CITIZEN'S STORY 



47 



My letter was one of the many hundreds of 
letters which are sent every day to people in 
Europe who are anxiously waiting to hear good 
news from their friends in America. 



LESSON 15 




A FOREIGN-BORN 


Citizen's 


Story 


lonely realize 


satisfied 


struggle 


effort deeds 


protection 


deserving 


successful succeeded 


rewarded 


correct 


correctly advice 


difficulty 


advised 


knowledge express 


unable 


profitable 



When I came to America, I seemed all alone in 
a strange country. 

I saw strange faces everywhere. 

Everywhere I heard a strange language spoken. 

For a while I was very lonely. 

One day I met some friends who had been my 
neighbors in my old home. 

They told me of their helplessness when they 
arrived in this country. 

They told of the difficulty they had in finding 
work because they were unable to speak or under- 
stand English. 



48 



PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 



They told me of their determination to help 
themselves by learning the language of the country. 

They told of the effort they had made and how 
well they had succeeded. 

My friends advised me to do as they had done 
and they knew I would be successful. 




Reading the Newspaper. 

My friends' advice to me was to make my home 
with American people, to attend an evening 
school, and to begin at once the study of English. 

I found board in a family where no language 
but English was spoken. 



A FOREIGN-BORN CITIZEN'S STORY 49 

I entered an evening school and attended it 
regularly. 

I spent a certain time each evening reading a 
newspaper printed in English. 

My American friends and acquaintances were 
ever ready and willing to tell me the meaning of 
words, to correct my mistakes, and to help me 
to express myself correctly. 

When I could understand and speak English, I 
had no trouble in obtaining work at my trade. 

Although my knowledge of the English language 
had helped me find profitable employment I was 
not satisfied. 

I wanted to know the history of the country 
which gives home and protection to all deserving 
persons who come to it. 

I began the study of United States history. 

I read of the noble lives and brave deeds of 
the men and women who had helped to make 
United States history. 

As I read of the lives and deeds of these brave 
men and women I wanted to become a citizen 
of the country they helped to make and save. 

In due time I became an American citizen, and 



50 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

I realize now that my early struggle in niy new 
home was well rewarded. 

I am proud to be an American citizen, and I 
hope ever to be known as a good American citizen. 

"We are what, by the grace of God, our own wills 
make us." — Spalding. 





LESSON 


16 






A Stranger in 


America 


acquainted 


dearly 




independence 


law 


meaning 




won 


heard 


cease 




brave 


freedom 


interfere 




speech 


lives 


pledge 




fought 



"I am a stranger in this country. 
" I have not been long here. 
" I want to become acquainted with American 
life and law." 

"Where did you come from?" 

"I came from a foreign country. 

"My home was in England." 

"Why did you come to America?" 

"I heard America called the land of freedom, 



A STRANGER IN AMERICA 



51 



so I thought it must be a good country in which to 
live." 

"Yes, America is a good country to live in for 
those who understand the meaning of American 
freedom and liberty." 

"What does Ameri- 
can freedom mean?" 

" American freedom 
means that in America 
every one is free to 
speak and act so long 
as his speech and acts 
do not interfere with 
the rights of others/' 

"What do you 
mean by 'rights of 
others' ?" 

"The United States 
government gives to 
its people, — every man, woman, and child, — 
certain rights, and the law says that these rights 
must be respected." 

"Does the right to freedom in America ever 
cease?" 




Statue of Liberty. 



PLAIN FACTS 



52 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

"Yes, the right to freedom ceases when one in- 
terferes with the freedom or liberty of others/ ' 
"What does American liberty mean?" 
"American liberty is the liberty of law and 
order, and means liberty for all who obey the laws 
of the country." 

"Who makes the laws in America?" 
" Citizens of the United States make the nation's 
laws, and if these laws are respected and obeyed, 
peace and safety, freedom and liberty are to be 
found in our country." 

"Why do Americans love their country so well ?" 

"Americans love their country because they 

know that American independence was won by 

brave men who fought and gave up their lives for 

it." 

"Why do Americans love their flag so dearly? " 

"Americans love their flag because they know 

that the American flag stands for justice and 

truth and is a pledge of freedom and liberty to 

all." 

Thy one business is thy conduct; learn to behave 
rightly, and whatever is needful or useful shall be 
thine. — Spalding. 



MY COUNTRY 



53 




Coat of Arms of United States. 



LESSON 17 



America 

My country, 'tis of thee, 
Sweet land of liberty, 

Of thee I sing. 
Land where my fathers died, 
Land of the pilgrims' pride, 
From every mountain side 

Let freedom ring ! 



54 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

My native country ! Thee — 
Land of the noble free, — 

Thy name I love ; 
I love thy rocks and rills, 
Thy woods and templed hills ; 
My heart with rapture thrills 

Like that above. 



Let music swell the breeze, 
And ring from all the trees 

Sweet freedom's song. 
Let mortal tongues awake ; 
Let all that breathe partake; 
Let rocks their silence break, - 

The sound prolong. 

Our fathers' God, to Thee, 
Author of liberty, 

To Thee we sing ; 
Long may our land be bright 
With freedom's holy light ; 
Protect us by Thy might, 

Great God, our King ! 



WORK IN A FACTORY 



55 





LESSON 18 






Work in a Factory 




employed 


hiring employ 


charge 


factory 


discharges forbids 


firm 


occupied 


superintendent department 


hires 


employing 


daytime piecework 


hour 


inspectors 


begin quit 


intermission 


foremen 


noon leave 


o'clock 



Two men were talking one day, and this is what 
they said about their work. 

"Are you employed during the day or do you 
work at night ?" 

"I am employed in the daytime." 
"Where do you work?" 
" I work in a shoe factory." 
"At what time do you go to work ?" 
" I leave my home at half -past seven in the morn- 
ing, and I begin my work at eight o'clock." 
"At what time do you come home?" 
"I quit my work at five o'clock and I reach 
my home in about half an hour from the time I 
leave the shop." 



56 



PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 



"Are you occupied all the time you are at the 
factory ?" 

"We have one hour's intermission at noon." 




1^ v«« C? r '-\ J I 

Registering the Time we arrive at the Factory. 



"Are there many employed in the factory where 
you work?" 

"Oh, yes, there are a great many persons em- 
ployed there." 

"Do they all work by the week ?" 

"No, some work by the hour, some by the week ; 
others do piecework." 

"Does the firm you work for employ boys and 
girls?" 



WORK IN A FACTORY 57 

"Yes, they employ girls and boys over fourteen 
years of age." 

"Why do they not employ children under that 
age?" 

"Because the law forbids the employing of 
children under fourteen years of age, and there are 
labor inspectors who visit factories to see that 
the law is obeyed." 

"Who has charge of the factory where you 
work?" 

"There is a superintendent at the head of the 
factory and a foreman at the head of each depart- 
ment." 

"Who hires and discharges the help?" 

"The hiring of help is done by both superinten- 
dent and foreman. There are not many dis- 
charged from the factory." 

"How is it that all keep their places so well ?" 

"We are always on time at our work. We 
do our work well. We waste no time, and 
we are respectful to our superintendent and 
foremen." 

"Do all who work in your shop have good 
health?" 



58 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

"We all try to keep well. 

" We know that if we want to do good work, we 
must have good health." 

"Do you have plenty of fresh air in your work- 
rooms?" 

"Oh, yes. We try to have fresh air in our 
shops all day. 

"We know we cannot keep well unless we have 
plenty of fresh air all the time in our shops and 
in our homes." 

"How do you get fresh air all the time in your 
shop and in your home ?" 

"We keep our shop windows open at the top 
all day. 

"We take a walk in the fresh air at noon-time, 
and at night we sleep with our bedroom windows 
open." 



" Land of lands ; to thee we give 

Our prayers, our hopes, our service free ; 
For thee thy sons shall nobly live, 
And at thy need shall die for thee." 



LAW AND GOVERNMENT 



59 





LESSON 19 






Law and Government 




rule 


established certain 


power 


conduct 


taught civic 


control 


legal 


guidance enforcing 


chief 


village 


rightfully continued 


principal 


social 


government wise 


rightful 



What is law ? 

Law is a rule of conduct established by a person 
or persons having rightful or legal power to make 
such rules. 

Who has rightful or legal power to make laws ? 

Laws for the guidance of home and family 
are rightfully made by father and mother. 

In the home, where the first laws for the good 
government of the children should be made, the 
parents are the rightful law makers. 

In the home, where the first lessons in good 
citizenship should be taught, the parents are the 
rightful law makers. 

In the schools, where the good work begun in 
the home by the wise parents is continued, school 



60 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

authorities have rightful power to make laws and 

rules for the guidance of the children in their care. 

In village, city, state, and nation the legal 




A Schoolroom. 

right to make laws is given by the people to certain 
bodies of law makers. 

What is government? 

Government is the exercising of authority. 

Government is control. 

Why is government needed ? 

Government is needed to enforce laws and rules 
for the good of home, social, business, and civic 
life. 



LAW AND GOVERNMENT 61 

Where is government needed? 

Government is everywhere needed. 

In the home, school, shop, village, city, state, 
and nation government is needed. 

Where should good government begin ? 

Good government should begin in the home. 

Who is at the head of government in the 
family ? 

The father and mother are the chief rulers in 
the government of the family. 

How should the father and mother govern their 
children ? 

The good father and mother govern their children 
by enforcing the wise and just laws established 
for their welfare. 

Who take the place of parents in governing 
children ? 

In the schools principals and teachers take the 
place of the parents, and have rightful power to 
govern children in their charge. 

In village, city, state, and nation the people 
give to certain officers of government legal power 
to enforce laws made for the good government of 
the people. 



62 



PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 





LESSON 


20 






City Government 




purpose 


inhabitants 


protect 


why 


secure 


success 


voting 


where 


prosperity 


according 


honest 


promote 


appreciating 


without 


use 


learned 



We have learned that government is control. 

We have learned why such control is needed. 

We have learned where control is needed. 

We see that it is the purpose of all government 
to secure order among people. 

We see that it is also the purpose of government 
to promote happiness, peace, and prosperity among 
people. 

We have learned that government is needed 
in every state, city, town, and village. 

Every village, town, city, and state must have 
its own lawmakers and its own laws if it would 
have good government. 

If the inhabitants of a city, town, or village 
would enjoy happiness and success, they must 
live according to law and order. 



CITY GOVERNMENT 63 

Without law and order how can there be good 
government ? 

Without good government how can there be 
peace and prosperity among citizens ? 

We see the need of law and order. 

To protect citizens in their right to property 
we know there must be law. 

There must be law to protect citizens in their 
right to life and health. 

The health, comfort, happiness, and life of citi- 
zens depend upon good city laws and good govern- 
ment to enforce the laws. 

Can citizens help in the good government of a 
city? 

In what way can citizens help to govern their 
city? 

All citizens can help in the good government 
of a city : — 

By voting for good, honest, and intelligent 
men to help make city laws. 

By respecting and obeying all laws made by city 
lawmakers. 

By appreciating and making good use of the 
opportunities given them by city government. 



64 



PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 



LESSON 21 

City Government (Continued) 

Charter 



fundamental 


foundation 


constitution 


direction 


regulation 


chosen 


legislature 


ordinances 


incorporated 


granted 


imposed 


document 


defines 


boundaries 


prescribe 


interprets 


importance 


increases 


population 


convenience 


agree 



In all government there must be fundamental 
laws for the guidance of the people. 

The fundamental laws are the foundations for 
all other laws. 

The Constitution of the United States contains 
the fundamental laws for the guidance of the 
nation. 

In state government the state constitution 
contains the fundamental laws for the direction 
of the lawmakers and the people of the state. 

What is the fundamental law for the regulation 
of city government ? 



CITY GOVERNMENT 65 

By what authority are city laws made and city 
lawmakers chosen ? 

The state legislature gives the city the right to 
make laws, rules, and ordinances for city govern- 
ment. 

When a city is incorporated, its powers and 
duties are set forth by the state legislature. 

The powers and duties granted and imposed 
by the state legislature are found in the city 
charter. 

The city charter is a written document contain- 
ing the fundamental rules established for the 
government of the city. 

The state grants the city its charter. 

The charter defines the boundaries of a city. 

The charter prescribes what officers a city shall 
have. 

It interprets the powers and duties of these 
officers. 

The charter does not contain all the rules for 
the direction of city government. 

As the city grows in importance and increases 
in population, many new laws become necessary and 
many officers are required to enforce these laws. 



66 



PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 



The charter gives the city law makers power 
to pass all city laws and ordinances needed for 
the good government, health, safety, and con- 
venience of the inhabitants. 

As the city charter must agree with the state 
constitution, the laws made by the city law makers 
must agree with the city charter. 

When changes are needed in the charter of a 
city, they are made through the state legislature. 

The charter of a city cannot be changed with- 
out the consent of the state legislature. 

There are many large cities in America. 

Here are the names of a few of the largest : — 



New York 

Chicago 

Philadelphia 

St. Louis 

Boston 

Cleveland 

Baltimore 

Pittsburgh 



Detroit 

Buffalo 

San Francisco 

Los Angeles 

Cincinnati 

Newark, N. J. 

Milwaukee 

Washington 



New Orleans 
Minneapolis 
Seattle 
Jersey City 
Kansas City 
Portland, Ore. 
Indianapolis 
Denver 



CITY GOVERNMENT 



67 




A City Hall. 

LESSON 22 

City Government (Continued) 

Three Main Departments 

branches entire 

legislative judicial 



various 

main 

executive enacts 



aldermen 



include 
council 

adjusted 



elected 



voters 



administers divided 



There are many laws needed for the government 
of a city. 

So if all the city laws are properly enforced, 
there must be many branches of government. 



PLAIN FACTS 5 



68 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

While there are various branches of city govern- 
ment, the work of governing the city is divided 
into three main departments. 

These three main departments include all other 
departments and branches of city government. 

Through these three principal departments 
the entire work of governing the city is carried 
on. 

The three principal departments of city govern- 
ment are the legislative department, the execu- 
tive department, and the judicial department. 

What is the work of the legislative department ? 

The legislative is the lawmaking department of 
city government. 

The legislative department makes and enacts 
city laws and ordinances. 

Who belong to the legislative department of 
city government ? 

Members of the city council are the city law- 
makers, and belong to the legislative branch of 
government. 

The city council is made up of city aldermen. 

The city lawmakers are elected by the voters 
of the city. 



CITY GOVERNMENT 69 

Laws made by the city lawmakers are enforced 
by the executive branch of city government. 

Through the executive department of govern- 
ment all city laws and ordinances are enforced. 

We have learned of the duties of two main 
departments of city government. 

Let us try to learn something of the third 
department of government. 

The third main department of city government 
is called the judicial department. 

The judicial department administers the laws 
of a city. 

The judicial department of city government 
is composed of judges and courts. 

Through the judicial department legal matters 
of city government are adjusted. 

City laws are made by the city lawmakers 
for the protection of all the people. 

So all the people must obey the law. 

Laws are enforced by the executive department 
of government for the good of all the people. 

So all the people should help the executive 
department to see that all laws are enforced. 

As all laws are made to be obeyed, when city 



70 



PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 



laws are broken, those who break the law may be 
arrested. 

When lawbreakers are arrested, they are brought 
before the court, and the judge of the court ad- 
ministers the law. 



LESSON 23 



City Government (Continued) 




The Mayor 




magistrate 


enforcement 


just 


mainly 


equal 


officer 


general 


privilege 


council 


vote 


interested 


honest 


voters 


elected 


department 


duty 


enjoy 


chief 


various 


important 


citizens 



Each of the various branches of city govern- 
ment must have its chief officer. 

Each of the three main departments of gov- 
ernment must have its chief officer. 

It is the duty of each chief officer of govern- 
ment to carry out the laws and rules of his depart- 
ment. 



CITY GOVERNMENT 71 

At the head of all departments of city govern- 
ment is one chief officer. 

The mayor of a city is the chief magistrate. 

The mayor is elected by the voters of the 
city. 

The mayor's duties are mainly executive. 

What are the mayor's duties? 

It is the mayor's duty to see to the general 
enforcement of city laws and ordinances. 

We have learned that the lawmaking depart- 
ment of a city is the city council. 

The mayor is at the head of the city council. 

It is one of the mayor's most important duties 
to see that only good and just laws are passed 
by the city council. 

All citizens have equal rights to enjoy the 
privileges given them by law. 

So all city laws should be made and enforced 
with equal justice to all. 

As all citizens have equal rights to privileges 
given by law, all citizens should be interested in 
electing a good and honest man for mayor of the 
city. 

Citizens should vote for the man who will see 



72 



PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 



that only good, wise, and just laws are made by 
the city lawmakers. 

Citizens should vote for the man who will see 
that all good, wise, and just laws are enforced. 

"A man's worth is measured by his usefulness." 

— Spalding. 



LESSON 24 

City Government (Continued) 

Various Departments 



unsafe 


relating 


aid 


charity 


special 


disorder 


crime 


provide 


unfortunate 


prevent 


public 


officials 


furnishes 


instruction 


needy 


construction 


assist 


perform 


education 


disturbance 



We know that in a well-governed city there 
must be several departments of city government. 

We have learned that each department has its 
own special duties. 

We have learned that each department has its 
own special officials to perform these duties. 

The peace, health, comfort, and safety of citizens 
should be the main object of city government. 



CITY GOVERNMENT 



73 



Who looks after the public health of citizens ? 

Rules and regulations relating to public health 
are made by the city health board. 

How does the city protect the lives and safety 
of its citizens ? 

Officials of the police department look after 
the safety and 
lives of citizens by 
trying to prevent 
crime, disturbance, 
and disorder. 

Members of the 
city fire depart- 
ment work to pro- 
tect the lives and property of citizens. 

Can a dirty city be a healthful or comfortable 
city? 

We know that to be healthful a city must be 
kept clean. 

The city street department provides for the 
cleaning of city streets. 

Can citizens enjoy prosperity if the city govern- 
ment does not provide schools for the boys and 
girls ? 




Street Cleaner at Work. 



74 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

How is education provided for citizens ? 

The public schools provide education for the 
boys, girls, men, and women of the city. 

The schools are under the direction of the 
department of public instruction. 

What is done for the sick, poor, and unfortunate 
men and women in cities ? 

The commissioner of public charity furnishes 
protection and aid to the unfortunate and needy. 

Orphan children and people who are unable to 
care for themselves are looked after by the com- 
missioner of public charity. 

Are the lives of citizens safe if people are allowed 
to build unsafe buildings in a city ? 

It is the duty of the building department of 
city government to look after the construction of 
city buildings. 

It is the duty of the building department to 
see that no unsafe building is constructed in, the 
city. 

The fire marshal and his assistants are officials 
of the city building department. 

So we see that the great work of governing a 
city is divided into many departments. 



CITY GOVERNMENT 



75 



We see that the officials of each department 
have many important duties to perform. 

If citizens would assist the officials of each city 
department to enforce the laws and rules of that 
department, we would all enjoy the order, peace, 
and prosperity to be found in a well-governed city. 

LESSON 25 



City Government (Continued) 


i 




Judicial Department 




composed 


trial 


wills 


surrogate 


belongs 


jury 


decide 


lawsuit 


municipal 


courts 


decision 


estates 


grades 


opinion 


judges 


verdict 


civil 


probate 


attorney 


deceased 



We have already learned that the judicial de- 
partment of city government is composed mainly 
of courts and judges. 

We have learned something of the duties of the 
judicial department of government. 

We must now learn more of the duties which 
make up the work of judges and other members 
of this department. 



76 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

As there are many laws needed for the gov- 
ernment of a city, it is necessary that there be 
some one in city government to interpret city 
laws. 

Each city must have its city attorney to in- 
terpret city laws. 

How does the city attorney interpret the laws ? 

The city attorney gives his opinion on legal 
matters brought before him by the different 
branches of city government. 

The city attorney belongs to the judicial de- 
partment of city government. 

In the city's judicial department of govern- 
ment there are county courts, municipal courts, 
probate or surrogate courts, and several other 
grades of court. 

In each court the judge is the presiding officer. 

Many lawsuits and civil cases are brought 
before the municipal court for settlement. 

The police justice tries the cases of some law- 
breakers who are brought before him. 

These cases are tried in police court. 

Some lawbreakers are brought to trial before 
higher courts. 



POLICE PROTECTION 



77 



Probate or surrogate courts take care of the 
wills and settlement of the estates of deceased 
persons. 

In some courts cases are tried before judge and 
jury. 

In some courts the judge alone tries the case. 

When cases are tried before judge and jury, the 
jury decides the case and renders a verdict. 

In other courts the decision is given by the 
judge. 





LESSON 26 






Police Protection 




danger 


reputation 


law-abiding 


arrest 


vicious 


endeavors 


suppress 


guilty 


wicked 


disorderly 


lawless 


quiet 


guarded 


willful 


dishonest 


justice 


rob 


recreation 


deprive 


guard 



Not all persons who live in cities are law-abiding 
citizens. 

In all places where many people live the peace, 
lives, and property of the inhabitants are in danger 
from disorderly and vicious persons. 



78 



PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 



In cities there is great need for police protection. 
There are disorderly and lawless persons who 
would rob others of peace and quiet. 

There are dishonest persons who would rob 
people of their money and property. 
, There are wicked and willful persons who would 
rob persons of their lives. 

There are vicious persons who would rob per- 
sons of their good reputa- 
tion. 

City government pro- 
vides for the protection 
of its people from persons 
who would willfully de- 
prive them of peace, prop- 
erty, and the enjoyment 
of life. 

So that people may go 
in safety to and from 
work it is necessary that their safety be guarded. 
So that people may go in safety to wherever 
business or recreation may call them, it is neces- 
sary that their safety be guarded. 

To guard the safety of its inhabitants it is 




A Mounted Policeman. 



DUTIES OF POLICE OFFICERS 



79 



necessary that the city be under police protection 
every hour of the day and night. 

Through the city police department city govern- 
ment endeavors to prevent crime, suppress dis- 
order, arrest lawbreakers, and bring guilty per- 
sons to justice. 

LESSON 27 

Duties of Police Officers 



obstructing 


fine 


injured 


accused 


patrol 


vehicles 


committed 


warrants 


punished 


thoroughfare 


imprisonment 


detect 


speeding 


patrolmen 


investigate 


serve 


accident 


highway 


pedestrians 


offenders 



It is the duty of police officers to do all in their 
power to prevent persons from breaking the law. 

When laws are broken, it is the duty of the police- 
men to detect and arrest the lawbreakers. 

When warrants are issued for the arrest of law- 
breakers, the policemen serve the warrants upon 
the guilty persons. 

There are policemen whose duty it is to walk 
through the streets during all hours of the day and 
night. 



80 



PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 



These officers are called patrolmen. 
There are special officers appointed to patrol 
public parks and other places of recreation. 
When disorderly acts are committed in these 







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A Police Court. 

places, the offenders are arrested and punished 
by fine or imprisonment. 

There are traffic officers whose duty it is to 
regulate traffic. 

These officers enforce the laws against the 
speeding of automobiles and fast driving of horses 
through the city streets. 



DUTIES OP POLICE OFFICERS 



81 



The traffic officers also prevent vehicles and 
pedestrians from crowding and interfering with 
traffic in busy thoroughfares. 

In cases of accident in the street it is the duty 



, ft/ '' " 



mm 




Police Duties. 

of the policeman at hand to attend to the injured 
persons. 

When necessary, in such cases, it is the duty 
of the officer to call an ambulance and to keep 
curious persons from obstructing the highway. 

When an alarm of fire is sounded, policemen go 
to the scene of fire to keep order and to prevent 
people from interfering with the work of firemen. 



82 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

There are special police officers whose duty it 
is to investigate cases of crime and to detect and 
arrest the persons who committed the crime. 

These special officers are called detectives. 

When these officers detect and arrest the per- 
sons accused of crime, it is their duty to bring 
them before the courts of justice for trial. 

It is unlawful to help guilty persons to escape 
arrest. 

It is unlawful to interfere with the work of any 
police officer. 

Any one who interferes with an officer while he 
is performing his duty may be arrested and pun- 
ished. 

It is the duty of all citizens to respect and obey 
all officers of the law. 

All citizens should assist in the enforcement 
of the law by doing nothing to interfere with an 
officer while in the discharge of his duty. 

"Let every man remember that to violate the laws is 
to trample on the blood of liberty/ ' 

— Abraham Lincoln. 





FIRE PROTECTION 


83 




LESSON 


28 






Fire Protection 




firemen 


readiness 


tillermen 


means 


performance 


disastrous 


lieutenant 


money 


risk 


aims 


pipemen 


brave 


constant 


engineers 


laddermen 


paid 


closely 


captains 


battalion 


causes 



Fire causes great destruction of property. 

Great loss of life is caused by fire. 

The danger of fire in any place is great. 

The danger of fire in closely built towns or cities 
is very great. 

Why is the danger of fire greater in towns or 
cities than in the open country? 

It is because of the many buildings and of the 
great number of people who live in them that 
fires in cities and towns are so disastrous. 

City government provides means for the pro- 
tection of the lives and property of its people 
from fire. 

How does the city aim to protect the lives and 
property of its citizens from fire ? 



PLAIN FACTS 



84 



PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 



Through the city government hundreds of fire- 
, men are employed to protect lives 
and property of citizens. 

These firemen risk their 
own lives in the perform- 
3 ance of duty. 
~ x When are fire- 
/ men ready to fight 
fire? 
The brave fire- 
men are on duty 
day and night. 
They are in constant 
readiness to fight fire and 
save life and property. 
The city fire department 
is made up of chief, bat- 
talion chiefs, captains, 
lieutenants, pipemen, drivers, tillermen, ladder- 
men, and engineers. 

The chief is at the head of the city fire depart- 
ment. 

Members of the city fire department are paid 
by the city with public money. 




Fireman Saving Lives. 



FIRE PRECAUTION 



85 



LESSON 29 
Fire Precaution 

valuable location destroyed speed rubbish 

fatal raising escapes intelligence delay 

attic coolness rats carelessness alert 

mice quickness false warned cellars 

In all large cities many lives are lost and much 
valuable property destroyed by fire. 

Many of the most disastrous fires are caused by 
carelessness. 

Many persons are careless about leaving children 
alone in the home. 

Parents should never go away from home, 
leaving the little ones alone. 

Disastrous fires have been started by children 
playing with fire or matches while alone in the 
home. 

Children should be warned of the great danger 
of fire. 

Children should never be allowed to play with 
matches or to light fires. 



86 



PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 



Every one should be careful of fire for his neigh- 
bor's sake as well as for his own sake. 

Cellars, attics, and fire escapes should be kept 

free from papers, rags, 
and rubbish. 

Matches should never 
be left where mice or 
rats can get at them. 

Every one should 
know how to act when 
a fire breaks out. 

To prevent delay and 
loss of life in case of fire 
doors leading to fire es- 
capes should never be 
locked. 

The location of fire 
escapes should be 
known. 

The location of fire alarm boxes should be known. 
When a fire is discovered, an alarm should be 
sent in at once. 

All fire alarms should be sent quietly without 
raising the cry of "Fire." 




Fire Escapes. 



FIRE PRECAUTION 87 

Why should fire alarms be given quietly ? 

Because the cry of "Fire" may alarm people 
and cause a panic. 

Great loss of life has sometimes resulted because 
people have been frightened by the cry of, " Fire ! 
fire ! " 

Be sure there is a fire before sending in an alarm. 

Any one found guilty of sending a false alarm 
of fire may be severely punished by law. 

A false alarm is an alarm sent in when there is 
no fire. 

Let us remember that carelessness and ignorance 
has caused thousands of deaths and great destruc- 
tion of property by fire. 

Let us not forget that quickness and intelligence 
has helped to save many lives and much valuable 
property from fire. 

In case of fire, let us be ever alert and ready to 
act with coolness, speed, and good judgment. 

By so doing we may be the means of helping 
to prevent much of the suffering and desolation 
brought about by fire. 



88 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

LESSON 30 

City Health Department 

association important laid 



obeyed 


keeping 


carefully 


disease 


neglects 


condition 


known 


assist 


does 


neglects 


prosperous 


would 



Does the city government do its duty if it 
neglects the health of its citizens ? 

Can a city be prosperous if its citizens are in 
bad health? 

The general welfare and prosperity of a city 
depends upon the good health of its inhabitants. 

It should be one of the chief duties of the city 
government to promote the welfare of the city 
by protecting the health of the inhabitants. 

In every city there is a department known as 
the board of health, health department, or health 
association. 

It is the duty of the city health board to keep 
the city healthful and to protect the citizens from 
disease. 

Members of the health board look after the 



CITY HEALTH DEPARTMENT 89 

health of inhabitants by making and enforcing 
wise and necessary rules and regulations. 

It should be the duty of every citizen to assist 
the health department in the important work of 
keeping a clean city. 

It should be the duty of every citizen to assist 
in keeping a healthful city. 

The rules relating to public health, laid down 
by the health board, must be carefully obeyed if 
all citizens would help in the work of keeping a 
city in a healthful condition. 

LESSON 31 

Health Inspectors 

inspector measles visitors fumigate 

accumulate tenement scarlet fever premises 
occupants report dirt quarantine 

contagious owners notified diphtheria 

recovery immediately allowed whooping cough 

In all cities it is the duty and aim of the health 
officers to keep the city in a sanitary condition. 
What does sanitary condition mean? 
A sanitary city is a clean city. 



90 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

A sanitary city should -be a healthful city in 
which to live. 

How can the city health board know of the 
sanitary conditions of the city? 

There are men employed by the city health 
department, whose duty it is to inspect dwelling 
places and all other places where dirt may 
accumulate. 

The men sent out by the city health board are 
called health inspectors. 

When health inspectors find dwelling places or 
business places in an unclean condition, they report 
what they have found to the city health board. 

When the board of health receives a report of 
unclean condition of houses or premises, the 
owners or occupants are notified to clean up their 
places. 

The health officers of a city have many important 
duties to perform if they would keep a city free 
from disease. 

One of the most important duties of the health 
board is to prevent the spread of contagious disease. 

How can the spread of contagious disease be 
prevented ? 



HEALTH INSPECTORS 91 

The health laws of a city say that all cases of 
contagious disease must be reported immediately 
to the health department. 

When a contagious disease is reported to the 
health department, they see that the house in 
which the disease is, is quarantined. 

When a place is put in quarantine, no visitors 
are allowed, and persons suffering from the disease 
are kept apart from others for a certain length of 
time. 

When a person recovers from a contagious dis- 
ease, officials of the health department fumigate 
all rooms occupied by the person while sick. 

Are visitors allowed before these rooms are 
fumigated ? 

Visitors are not allowed until permission has 
been given by the health authorities. 

Among the contagious diseases are : measles, 
scarlet fever, whooping cough, diphtheria, and 
smallpox. 

Each and every citizen should assist the depart- 
ment of health in enforcing the health laws of a 
city. They can do this by obeying all the rules 
of the department relating to contagious diseases. 



92 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 





LESSON 32 






Food Inspection 




against 


insisting 


presentable 


dust 


meat market 


offered 


sale 


pride 


germs 


uncovered 


exposed 


any one 


stale 


flies 


sold 


merchant 


himself 


unsanitary 


refusing 


storekeeper 


patronizing 


grocery store 


would 


once 



If we would protect ourselves against disease, 
we must keep healthy. 

If we would keep healthy, we must have plenty 
of good, wholesome food. 

By employing men whose duty it is to visit 
and inspect all places where food is offered for 
sale the health department of the city endeavors 
to prevent the sale of unwholesome food. 

These men visit grocery stores, meat markets, 
and all other places where the sale of food is 
carried on. 

The food inspectors try to see that only good 
meat, pure milk, fresh ripe fruits, and fresh ripe 
vegetables are placed on sale. 

Food that is left uncovered and exposed to 



FOOD INSPECTION 



93 



dust, germs, and flies is not fit to be eaten and 
should not be sold to any one. 

When the food inspectors find food for sale in 
unclean and unsanitary surroundings, they order 
the storekeeper to clean his store at once. 




Unwholesome Food. 

When the inspectors find stale meats, impure 
milk, decayed vegetables, unripe or decayed fruit 
offered for sale, it is their duty to notify the 
owners and then see that these foods are not 
sold. 



94 



PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 



We should all try to help the health board 
execute the health laws : — 

By refusing to buy food from a merchant who 
does not keep himself and his clothing in a clean 
and presentable condition. 

By refusing to buy food that has been exposed 
to flies, dust, and germs. 

By patronizing merchants who take a pride 
in keeping themselves and their store in good 
condition. 

By insisting upon buying only good meat, pure 
milk, fresh ripe vegetables, and fresh ripe fruits. 

By obeying all the rules of the health board. 





LESSON 33 






Street 


Cleaning 




gardens 


engaged 


encouraged 


sprinkling 


sidewalks 


crosswalk 


slush 


pavements 


spent 


snow 


carts 


melting 


yearly 


ice 


attractive 


flooding 


lawns 


interest 


maintaining 


dusty 



For the health of the people, it is necessary that 
the streets and sidewalks of a city be kept clean. 



STREET CLEANING 



95 



For the comfort and convenience of all in the 
city, it is necessary that the streets and sidewalks 
be kept clean. 

How are the city streets cleaned ? 

Through the city street department many men 

T 




Cleaning the Streets. 

are hired to keep the streets and sidewalks in a 
good condition. 

Who pays for the cleaning of city streets? 

Much money is spent yearly by the city 
government in maintaining a street-cleaning 
department. 

At what season of the year is the work of street 
cleaning done ? 



96 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

Men who work for the city street department 
are busy all the year round. 

Some of these men work during the daytime. 

Other men clean streets at night. 

It is the duty of the men hired by the city street 
department to keep streets, sidewalks, and cross- 
walks free from mud, slush, snow, and ice. 

In summer sprinkling carts pass along the streets. 

These carts sprinkle water on the dusty pave- 
ments. 

The water settles the dust and cools the air. 

In winter men are engaged in removing snow 
and ice from streets and crosswalks. 

After heavy snowstorms hundreds of men are 
sent out by the street-cleaning department to 
clean the snow from the streets. 

The snow on some of the streets is thrown into 
carts and carried away from the city. 

Carrying off the snow in this way prevents it 
from melting and flooding the streets. 

Should all the work of keeping a city clean be 
left to the street-cleaning department? 

All the work of keeping a city clean should not 
be left to city government. 



STREET CLEANING 97 

Much can be done by each citizen towards keep- 
ing homes and streets clean. 

Each person living in a city can help to keep his 
city clean by keeping his own yard clean. 

Sidewalks, in summer, should be kept free from 
dust and mud. 

In winter they should be kept free from snow 
and slush. 

How can citizens help in keeping a city clean ? 

Papers or rubbish should never be thrown 
about yards or streets. 

Papers should never be left where the wind 
can blow them about lawns or streets. 

Children should be encouraged to take an 
interest in the appearance of their yards and 
sidewalks. 

Children should be taught not to throw papers 
or anything else into yards, walks, or streets. 

Everybody, young and old, should feel a pride 
in helping to keep their city clean. 

Keeping the city clean will not only help to 
make the city attractive, but it will add to the 
comfort of the inhabitants by making it a healthful 
place to live in. 



98 



PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 





LESSON 34 






City Taxes 




cost 


vast 


paved 


taxes 


caring 


spend 


taxation 


rented 


expense 


sewers 


assess 


paying 


assessors 


treasury 


tax 


real estate 



We have learned what city government is. 

We have learned what city government does. 

We have read of the many departments and 
various branches of government in a city. 

We know that there are many officers needed 
to carry on the great work of these various 
departments. 

Does it cost the city much money to carry on 
the work of caring for its citizens? 

Yes, the expense of carrying on the work of 
city government is very great. 

It costs the city a vast amount of money to 
educate its children. 

The city must spend a great deal of money to 
care for its poor people. 

Citizens must have police protection. 



CITY TAXES 99 

The public health must be protected. 

For the protection of life and property a city 
must provide a fire department. 

Inhabitants of a city must be provided with 
pure drinking water. 

Good sewers must be built through city streets. 

City streets must be well lighted. 

City streets must be well paved. 

City streets must be kept clean. 

We must learn how the city pays for the great 
work of caring for the health, education, safety, 
and life of its inhabitants. 

The expense of the city government is met by 
the city with public money. 

What is public money ? 

Public money is money collected from the people 
to pay the expense of conducting city government. 

How is this public money collected ? 

Public money is raised by taxation. 

Every man living in a city must help pay the 
expense of carrying on the government of that city. 

Property owners pay taxes. 

People who live in rented houses help to pay 
taxes. 

PLAIN FACTS 7 



100 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

Who decides upon the amount of taxes each 
property owner shall pay? 

There are men employed to assess property. 

These men are known as city assessors. 

These assessors decide upon each property 
owner's share of taxes. 

Each owner of real estate receives a bill telling 
him how much his tax is. 

Owners of property must pay taxes when they 
become due. 

If there were no taxes paid, there would be no 
public money in a city treasury. 

If there were no money with which to carry on 
city work, there could be no good government in 
a city. 

If there were no good government in a city, 
there could be no prosperity there. 

Thus, city government is carried on for the good 
of all the people living in a city. 

Every one living in a city should do his duty 
by helping in the work of governing his city and 
by paying his share of the taxes. 



A VISIT TO A PUBLIC MARKET 



101 




In a Public Market. 





LESSON 35 






A Visit to a 


Public Market 




wagon 


entered 


separate 


lamb 


surprised 


aisle 


section 


poultry 


different 


extended 


quantities 


turkeys 


visited 


either 


systematic 


chickens 


handled 


stalls 


beef 


bacon 


veal 


ham 


cheese 


lard 



"Have you ever visited a public market ?" 
"No, I never have, but I should like to visit 



one.' 



102 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

"I spent some time at a public market in a 
large city a few days ago. 

"I should like to tell you what I saw there." 

"Thank you, I should like very much to hear 
about your visit. 

"I know I shall be interested." 

"I went to the market in the early morning. 

"I was surprised to see so many people, horses, 
wagons, and carts there at that time. 

"All around were carts, wagons, and horses, 
with the farmers and hucksters who had brought 
fruits, vegetables, and meats to market. 

"Everywhere there were great crowds of people. 

"Some of these people had come to sell. 

"Others had come to buy. 

"As I entered the market I saw a long aisle 
which extended from one end of the large building 
to the other. 

"On either side of the long aisle there were 
many rooms or stalls. 

"I could not understand why there were so 
many rooms. 

"I soon learned that in each room a different 
kind of food is sold. 



A VISIT TO A PUBLIC MARKET 103 

"In one section I found meats of all kinds. 

" In this place I saw beef, mutton, lamb, and veal. 

"In another section I saw ham, bacon, and 
fresh pork. 

"Farther on, there was poultry. 

"In the poultry section I saw chickens, ducks, 
geese, and turkeys. 

"Butter, cheese, lard, and eggs were sold at 
another section. 

"There was a separate place for the sale of fish. 

"Salmon, white fish, cod, and many other kinds 
of fish were to be found there. 

"I saw all kinds of fruits and vegetables in large 
quantities. 

"There were barrels of apples and pears, and 
baskets of plums and peaches. 

"There were bags of nuts, boxes of oranges and 
lemons, grapes, figs, and dates. 

"There were onions, carrots, turnips, potatoes, 
and cabbages. 

"There were beans, peas, and other vegetables. 

"I was surprised to see so many kinds of food, 
and to see the systematic way in which it was all 
handled. 



104 



PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 



"I learned a great deal from my visit. 

"When I started for home, I felt that I had spent 
a most profitable morning. 

"I hope you will visit a public market soon. 

"You, too, will be surprised to see the many 
kinds and the great quantities of food that are 
bought and sold at a public market/' 





LESSON 36 






Hospitals 




poverty 


patients 


nurses 


treated 


suffering 


courage 


ward 


relieve 


sickness 


charitable 


nursing 


bureau 


treatment 


overseer 


gentle 


strict 


medical 


sufficient 


ventilation 


kindly 



Among the inhabitants of large cities much 
suffering is caused by poverty. 

For want of comfortable homes and nourishing 
food many people become ill and are unable to 
care for themselves. 

For want of sufficient clothing many people 
become ill. 

How does the city care for its sick poor ? 



HOSPITALS 



105 



All sickness among the sick poor should be re- 
ported to the public health board, overseer of the 
poor, or the bureau of charities. 

When reported, cases of sickness are investigated, 




In a City Hospital. 



and the sick persons are sent to a hospital for 
treatment. 

In a city hospital medical care and nursing is 
given free to the sick poor. 

If a person is too ill to go to a hospital, what is 
to be done ? 

When cases of sickness or accident are reported, 



106 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

and the sick or injured persons are too ill to go 
to a hospital, a call may be sent for an ambulance 
to take them there. 

When sick persons arrive at a hospital, they are 
made as comfortable as possible. 

The best medical care is given these patients, 
and they are treated with kindness. 

The patients are attended to by kind and gentle 
nurses. 

The nurses do all in their power to relieve the 
suffering of the sick. 

There are doctors in attendance at the hospitals 
at all times, day and night. 

Poor patients are kindly treated by the doctors. 

Almost every kind of disease is treated at a 
city hospital. 

There are separate buildings for contagious 
diseases. 

Each special contagious disease has its own 
special building or ward apart from all others. 

There are wards for men, other wards for women, 
and still other wards for children. 

Everything possible is done to make the chil- 
dren's ward attractive for the children. 



HOSPITALS 



107 



Everything is done to help the little ones forget 
their sufferings. 

Persons in charge of hospitals try to keep every 
room clean, comfortable, quiet, and orderly. 

Those in charge give strict attention to 
ventilation. 

They see that plenty of fresh air, light, and 
sunshine come in to help patients recover their 
health, strength, and courage. 




A Day School for Small Boys. 



" Write your name in kindness, love, and mercy on 
the hearts you come in contact with, and you will 
never be forgotten." — Chalmers. 



108 



PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 






LESSON 


37 


sa i F^sa 




Playgrounds 




present 


future 


mentally 


realized 


appreciation 


influence 


instructors 


space 


physically 


advantages 


courtesy 


fairness 


habit 


benevolent 


forced 


mapped 


morally 


conduct 


supervision 


useful 



The boys and girls of the present are the men 
and women of the future. 

Do we want our boys and girls to be sound 
mentally and physically ? 



PLAYGROUNDS 109 

Do we want our future men and women to be 
strong and healthy ? 

If boys and girls are to be mentally and phys- 
ically sound, they must have plenty of healthful 
play and exercise. 

If boys and girls are to become strong and 
healthy men and women, they must have plenty 
of healthful play and exercise. 

Children who live in towns or villages, or on 
farms, have many opportunities for wholesome 
recreation that children of large cities do not have. 

At one time children who lived in crowded sec- 
tions of large cities had no room in yards for play. 

Many of these children, if they had any recrea- 
tion at all, were forced to find room for play in the 
streets and on the sidewalks. 

Benevolent citizens, boards of education, and 
officials of the city government realized that un- 
less something were done for the children their 
health and strength would suffer. 

At the present time in many of the larger cities, 
where thousands of children live who have no 
place to play but upon streets or sidewalks, play- 
grounds have been opened. 



110 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

The playgrounds provide space where these 
children may enjoy wholesome recreation away 
from the danger of the streets. 

Are playgrounds opened for no other reason than 
to provide space for wholesome exercise ? 

Is it only to keep children off the streets that 
kind-hearted men and women have mapped out 
plots of ground to be used as places of recreation 
for the children ? 

It is the aim of those who provided playgrounds 
that they not only serve as places of recreation, 
but that they aid the children by giving them 
healthy minds and bodies to become intelligent 
and useful citizens. 

Playgrounds are open to children of all ages. 

Instructors guide the girls and boys in their play. 

It is under careful supervision of the instructors 
that good habits of body and mind are formed. 

Under the good influence of watchful instructors 
of playgrounds, children are trained in habits of 
courtesy, fairness, and kindness. 

Children are taught to have respect for the 
appearance of the grounds and surroundings. 

Children are encouraged to show by their good 



AT THE SHOE STORE 



111 



conduct an appreciation of the advantages and 
privileges given them. 

By being taught to have respect for authority 
and for surroundings, these children are trained 
to become good citizens, strong physically, men- 
tally, and morally. 

"Habit is the deepest law of nature. It is our su- 
preme strength or our most miserable weakness/' 

— Spalding. 





LESSON 


38 






At the Shoe Store 




style 


advertise 


retail 


sore 


weight 


waterproof 


leather 


dull 


reduced 


wholesale 


cramped 


profit 


bargain 


suit 


dispose 


arrange 


transaction 


value 


stock 


calfskin 



"Good morning, sir !" 
"Good morning, Mr. Smith !" 
"What can I do for you to-day, sir?" 
"I need a pair of new shoes/' 
"What style of shoes would you like to see?" 
"The last pair I had were buttoned shoes. I 
think I shall try a pair of laced ones this time." 



112 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

"Do you care for a heavy or a light weight 
shoe?" 

"I want them for everyday wear, so I think I 
ought to have a pair of heavy ones." 

"You want a waterproof leather, don't you?" 

"Yes, if you have a leather that is waterproof !" 

"What size shoe do you wear?" 

"I wear size 8, width E." 

"What price do you want to pay for your 
shoes?" 

"I am not so particular about the price as I am 
the fit of my shoes. 

"The last pair I had were very uncomfortable. 
They cramped my feet and caused them to be- 
come sore." 

"They must have been too small for you. Per- 
haps you had better try a larger shoe this time." 

"Very well, you may show me a pair of 9's." 

"Here is a pair of calfskin, dull finish, laced 
shoes. 

"They are size 9, width E, and I think they are 
just the size and style to suit you." 

"They seem to be all right. 

"What is the price of this pair?" 



AT THE SHOE STORE 



113 



"The regular price of that pair is four dollars, 
but I am having a sale and all of my shoes have 
been marked down/' 

" I do not understand what you mean by 'having 
a sale/ Are not your shoes always for sale?" 




At the Shoe Store. 



"Yes, my shoes are always for sale, but once or 
twice a year I advertise to sell my shoes and rub- 
bers at reduced prices for a certain length of time." 
"What do you mean by 'reduced prices'?" 
"I buy my shoes at wholesale and sell them at 
retail. I sell my goods for more than I pay for 



114 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

them, and I depend upon this profit to pay my 
business expenses and the cost of my living. 

"During dull seasons and sometimes at the end 
of the season — to make room for new stock — I 
arrange for a sale. 

"I reduce the prices of my goods and sell them 
at cost — or for a little more than I paid for them." 

"How can you afford to sell your goods at so 
little profit?" 

"Of course, I do not make much profit, but I do 
not lose anything by the transaction. 

"During my sales I dispose of a great many 
pairs of shoes and rubbers. 

"I always sell good goods. 

" I give my customers full value for their money, 
and they are so well pleased that they patronize 
me in the regular seasons as well as during my 
sales." 

"How long do your sales last?" 

"I arrange to have them last about a week at a 
time." 

"I am glad to understand what is meant by 
'bargain sales/ 

"I shall bring my wife and children to you to- 



ONE BY ONE 115 

morrow, and have you fit them in shoes and 
rubbers/' 

" Thank you, I shall be glad to serve them and 
hope that I may be able to please them." 

"Good morning, Mr. Smith." 

"Good morning, sir !" 



LESSON 39 
One by One 

One by one the sands are flowing ; 

One by one the moments fall, 
Some are coming, some are going ; 

Do not strive to grasp them all. 

One by one thy duties wait thee ; 

Let thy whole strength go to each, 
Let no future dreams elate thee ; 

Learn thou first what these can teach. 

One by one — bright gifts from Heaven 
Joys are sent thee here below ; 

Take them readily when given, 
Ready too to let them go. 

PLAIN FACTS — 8 



116 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

One by one thy griefs shall meet thee, 
Do not fear an armed band ; 

One will fade as others greet thee — 
Shadows passing through the land. 

Do not look on life's long sorrow, 
See how small each moment's pain ; 

God will help thee for to-morrow, 
So each day begin again. 

Every hour that fleets so slowly 

Has its task to do or bear ; 
Luminous the crown, — and holy, 

When each gem is set with care. 

Do not linger with regretting, 
Or for passing hours despond, 

Nor, the daily toil forgetting, 
Look too eagerly beyond. 

Hours are golden links, — God's token, 
Reaching heaven ; but one by one 

Take them, lest the chain be broken 
Ere the pilgrimage be done. 

— Adelaide A. Procter. 



STATE GOVERNMENT 



117 




State House where Laws are Made. 



LESSON 40 





State Government 






The Constitution 




Union 


supreme 


political 


common 


drafted 


appoints 


governor 


representatives 


election 


national 


prescribed 


local 


adoption 


majority 


formulated 


favor 


conflict 


proposed 


drafting 


forbids 



Through the Constitution of the United States 
each state in the Union has power to make the laws 
for its local government. 



118 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

What do we mean when we say each state in the 
Union ? 

We speak of our nation as the Union. 

Our nation is composed of many states united. 

So we call our nation the Union. 

Each state in the Union has its own state con- 
stitution. 

What is a state constitution ? 

A state constitution is a set of fundamental 
laws established for the government of the 
state. 

In our lessons on City Government we learned 
that fundamental laws are the foundation for all 
other laws. 

So the state constitution is the foundation for all 
state laws. 

The state constitution is the political law of the 
state. 

By whom is a state constitution established? 

Through its voters each state can establish its 
own constitution. 

How is a state constitution established ? 

In establishing a constitution a set of laws for 
the common good of all the people in the state is 



STATE GOVERNMENT 119 

drafted by the representatives of the voters in the 
state. 

After the drafting of this set of laws an election is 
held in which the voters in the state are given an 
opportunity to vote for or against the proposed 
constitution. 

Those in favor of it vote for its adoption. 

If the majority of the citizens voting at the elec- 
tion are in favor of the proposed set of laws, it is 
adopted as the state constitution. 

The constitution lays down laws for the govern- 
ment of the state. 

The constitution sets forth the powers and duties 
of the more important state officers. 

Can a state constitution conflict with the na- 
tional constitution ? 

While each state must have its own constitution, 
the state constitution must not conflict with the 
national constitution. 

While each state can make and administer its 
own laws, state laws must not conflict with national 
laws. 

Are all state laws formulated in the state con- 
stitution ? 



120 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

No, because the great public business of the state 
requires many new laws to be made each year. 

While these new laws are needed to carry on 
state government, they must all agree with the 
constitution of the state. 

The making of many of the state laws is left to 
the special law makers of the state. 

The voters of the state elect a body of law makers 
to make all necessary laws not prescribed by the 
state constitution. 

Sometimes the governor of the state appoints 
the special law makers of the state. 

The state constitution is the supreme law of the 
state, so the special law makers can make no laws 
which the constitution forbids. 



STATE GOVERNMENT 



121 



LESSON 41 

State Government (Continued) 

Legislative Department 



districts 


consists 


together 


enacted 


Congress 


senate 


assembly 


delegates 


senators 


assemblymen 


terms 


transact 


capitol 


capital 


speaker 


lieutenant 



In state government, as in city government, the 
work is divided into three main departments. 

The people of the state make the state laws 
through the legislative department of the state 
government. 

This law-making department is known as the 
state legislature. 

The state is divided into sections or districts, 
and each district is represented by one or two law 
makers. 

Once in every one, two, or three years a state 
law maker is elected to the legislature by the 
voters of each district. 

These law makers, taken as a body, are the legal 



122 PLAIX FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

representatives of the people and are known as 
state legislators. 

The state legislature or law-making department 
of state government consists of two departments 
called houses. 

All laws enacted by the state law-makers must 
agree with the state constitution, the national 
constitution, and the laws of Congress. 

The two houses of the state legislature are known 
as the upper house and the lower house. 

The senate is the upper house of the state 
legislature and is known as the state senate. 

The assembly is the lower house of the state 
legislature. 

In some states the state legislature is called the 
general assembly. 

In some states the lower house is called the 
house of representatives. 

In others it is called the house of delegates. 

The members of the senate or upper house of the 
legislature are known as senators. 

Each senate district of a state sends a senator 
to the upper house of the state legislature. 

Members of the assembly or lower house of the 



STATE GOVERNMENT 123 

legislature are called representatives, delegates, 
or assemblymen. 

Each assembly district sends an assemblyman, 
delegate, or representative to the lower house of 
the legislature. 

Senators are chosen for longer terms than are the 
members of the lower house. 

The two houses of the state legislature meet and 
transact their official business at the state capitol 
building in the capital city of each state. 

Each body of law makers has a presiding officer. 

In the lower house of the legislature the pre- 
siding officer is called the speaker. 

In states where there is a lieutenant governor he 
is the presiding officer of the senate. 

Where there is no lieutenant governor a speaker 
of the senate is chosen to preside. 

The members of the house choose the speaker. 



124 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

LESSON 42 

State Government (Continued) 

The Chief Executive Officer 

faithfully restore forces military 

dealings militia maintain commander in chief 

We have learned how state law makers are 
chosen. 

We have learned how state laws are made. 

We must now learn how laws for state govern- 
ment are enforced. 

By whom are state laws enforced? 

We know there are many officers needed to 
enforce state laws. 

Who gives the right to these officers to execute 
laws for the government of the state ? 

The officers who enforce state laws are chosen by 
the voters of the state. 

We know that at the head of each government 
there must be one chief officer to see to the general 
enforcement of laws. 

Who is at the head of the state government ? 



STATE GOVERNMENT 125 

The governor is the chief executive officer of 
the state government. 

The governor is elected by the voters of the state. 

In some states the governor is elected for a term 
of one year. 

In other states the governor's term of office is 
for two, three, or four years. 

If the voters of the state choose, he may be 
reelected. 

In most states when a governor is elected, a 
lieutenant governor is also chosen. 

During his term of office the governor lives in the 
capital city of the state. 

The executive business of the state government 
is transacted in the state capitol building. 

When the governor takes his office, he promises to 
faithfully execute all state laws. 

The powers and duties of the chief executive 
officer of the state government are many and very 
important. 

The governor represents the state in all official 
dealings with other states. 

It is the duty of the governor to suppress dis- 
order and to maintain peace in the state. 



126 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

In case of disorder in the state how can the 
governor restore order ? 

The governor may call upon the military forces 
of the state to suppress disorder or to maintain 
peace in the state. 

By what right can the governor call upon mili- 
tary forces in time of disorder ? 

As the governor is commander in chief of the 
state militia he may call upon them whenever 
their services are needed to keep the peace. 

LESSON 43 

State Government (Continued) 

Important Executive Officers 



secretary 


auditor 


advises 


comptroller 


treasurer 


lawyer 


proceedings 


' appointed 


adjusts 


accurate 


accountant 


bills 


records 


charged 


inability 


illness 



We have learned that the governor of the state 
is the chief officer of the state government. 

We have read that the general enforcement 
of the state laws is the governor's most important 
duty. 



STATE GOVERNMENT 127 

Can the work of governing a state be done by the 
governor alone ? 

The great work of governing a state could not 
be carried on by one man. 

There are many officers needed to assist the 
governor in executing and administering the work 
of state government. 

In some states these executive officers are chosen 
by the voters of the state for terms of two or three 
years each. 

In some states these officers are appointed by the 
governor of the state. 

In other states they are appointed by the state 
legislature. 

The most important among the officers of the 
state government are : — 

The Lieutenant Governor, 

The Secretary of State, 

The State Treasurer, 

The State Comptroller, 

The Attorney-General. 

In states where there is a lieutenant governor 
he is the presiding officer of the state senate. 

In the event of the governor's illness or inability 



128 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

to attend to the work of executing and administer- 
ing the law, the lieutenant governor takes his 
place at the head of state government. 

The secretary of state transacts important 
business and keeps the official state records. 

He keeps a record of the acts and proceedings of 
the state legislatures. 

The state treasurer has charge of all of the 
money matters of the state. 

It is the duty of the state treasurer to keep ac- 
curate account of all moneys received or paid out 
by the state. 

The state comptroller is the chief accountant 
and auditor of state bills. 

The comptroller inspects and adjusts all claims 
against the state. 

The attorney-general advises other state officials 
in regard to their legal duties. 

He gives his opinion on all legal questions 
brought before him by the executive and legisla- 
tive departments of the state government. 

The attorney-general also assists in bringing 
to justice persons who are charged with certain 
crimes against the state. 



STATE GOVERNMENT 129 

LESSON 44 

State Government (Continued) 

Judicial Department 

dispense disputes entirely separate 

absolutely institution question independent 

As in the city government, so in the state govern- 
ment, courts and judges are needed. 

The judicial department of the state govern- 
ment is composed of the courts and judges of the 
state. 

Each state has its courts of law and its judges 
to dispense the law. 

For the sake of justice to the people of the state, 
courts and judges are necessary. 

The legislative department makes the laws for 
the state government. 

The executive department carries out the laws 
made by the legislative department. 

The judicial department defines the laws for these 
two official bodies of the state government. 

The judicial department does not make laws. 

The judicial department does not enforce laws. 



130 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

It is the duty of the judicial department to 
decide all questions of law and to settle all disputes 
in state government. 

The judicial department is entirely separated 
from the law-making and the law-enforcing bodies 
of state government. 

Why is the judicial department an entirely 
separate branch of state government? 

So that all laws may be passed and enforced 
with equal justice to all, it is necessary that this 
department be an absolutely independent institu- 
tion. 

Sometimes there is a question as to whether a 
law passed by the state law makers agrees with the 
state constitution. 

Sometimes disputes arise over these questions 
between the law-making and law-enforcing bodies 
of state government. 

When these disputes arise between the legislative 
and the executive bodies of state government, the 
law must be decided before the laws can be en- 
forced. 

The judicial department interprets and decides 
the law. 



STATE GOVERNMENT 131 

So that all the legal questions and disputes that 
arise in state government may be settled with 
justice to all, it is necessary that the courts and 
judges form an entirely separate department of 
government. 

LESSON 45 

State Government (Continued) 

Courts and Judges 



grades 


several 


county 


usually 


created 


appeals 


referred 


satisfaction 


parties 


concerned 


appeal 


defeated 


error 


reverses 


satisfied 


differ 



Each state judicial department has its several 
grades of court. 

State courts are higher than city or county 
courts. 

The higher state courts are usually created by 
the state constitution. 

The lower courts are usually established by the 
state legislature. 

The Supreme Court is usually the highest state 
court. 

PLAIN FACTS — 9 



132 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

In some states the highest court is known as the 
court of appeals. 

Cases of law which cannot be settled in the 
lower courts may be referred to the highest state 
court. 

Sometimes when a case is tried in a lower court 
and not settled to the satisfaction of all the parties 
concerned, the defeated party may appeal the case. 

When a case is appealed, it is carried to the next 
higher court. 

The higher court does not try the case. 

The case is examined by the higher court to see 
if any error was committed by the lower court. 

If the higher court can find no error, the judg- 
ment of the lower court is affirmed. 

If in the opinion of the higher court there was 
an error committed, the court reverses the judg- 
ment of the lower court and grants a new trial. 

Sometimes, when a case has been appealed and 
the defeated party is not satisfied with the judg- 
ment of the higher court, the case may be carried 
to a still higher court. 

The judges of our state courts are elected or 
appointed. 



EDUCATION 133 

Some judges are elected by the people. 

Some are appointed by the legislature. 

Some are appointed by the governor of the 
state. 

The terms of office of the judges of the various 
state courts differ in length of time. 

The judges of the higher courts are appointed 
or elected for longer terms than are judges of the 
lower courts. 

LESSON 46 





Education 




system 


tends capable 


supervise 


lazy 


supplies selects 


generations 


neglecting 


promote dangerous 


improvement 



It is said that the prosperity of a nation depends 
upon the education of its people. 

If this be true, whose duty is it to see that the 
people are educated ? 

It should be the duty of every government to 
promote the welfare of its people by providing 
means for their education. 

The interest of the nation requires that every 
child should receive an education. 



134 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

The interest of the child requires that a means of 
education be provided for it. 

Why should education be provided for every 
child? 

Because ignorance is dangerous. 

Ignorance tends to make people lazy and vicious. 

So the interest of the nation and of every per- 
son in the nation requires that education be given 
to all the children. 

How does the United States government pro- 
vide for the education of its people ? 

Through a system of public schools, the govern- 
ment of each state cares for the education and 
improvement of its people. 

What does " public school' ' mean? 

Public means for the people — for all the 
people. 

The public schools are for all the people. 

How are the public schools supported ? 

The public schools in America are supported 
chiefly by taxation. 

Many states have also large school funds. 

In most states the law compels all children 
between certain ages to attend school. 



EDUCATION 135 

It is the duty of parents to see that their children 
attend school regularly. 

If children refuse to attend school regularly, 
what is to be done ? 

When children do not go to school, parents are 
held responsible, and may be punished for neglect- 
ing to obey the law. 

Every state has a system of public schools. 

Each state has a state superintendent of schools, 
whose duty it is to supervise the schools of the 
state. 

Each city has a board of education. 

The board of education selects the city super- 
intendent of schools. 

It employs public school teachers. 

It builds schoolhouses and buys supplies for the 
schools. 

The board of education makes rules for the 
government of the city schools. 

It is the aim of the national as well as of the 
state government that future generations, through 
education, may become intelligent and capable 
citizens. 

It is the aim of the government that its future 



136 



PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 



citizens may be able to properly govern themselves 
and their country. 




A Public School. 



It is the aim of the government that its future 
citizens may be able to enjoy the opportunities 
and privileges offered by the noblest republic in 
the world. 



"Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a 
standing army." — Edward Everett. 



EVENING SCHOOLS 



137 





LESSON 47 






Evening Schools 




examinations 


ended prevented 


diligently 


continue 


millinery plain 


carpentry 


dressmaking 


printing avail 


trim 


bookkeeping 


drawing plumbing 


sewing 


mechanical 


instruction earnestly 


engineering 



In America when children have reached a 
certain age and have passed required examinations, 
the law allows them to go to work. 

Many boys and girls are obliged to go to work 
as soon as the law allows them to do so. 

In many cities evening schools have been estab- 
lished to provide a means of higher education for 
the many girls and boys who are employed during 
the day, and who are prevented from attending 
the day school. 

The evening schools also offer opportunities to 
many men and women who wish to continue their 
studies after day-school life is ended. 

In many of the evening schools there are classes 
for women in which plain sewing, dressmaking, 
and millinery is taught. 



138 



PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 



Women are given an opportunity to learn to sew. 

Many learn to make their own dresses. 

Others learn to make and trim their own hats. 

There are also classes in cooking. 

Many women learn to prepare and cook food in 
the most wholesome way. 

There are classes for men in which plumbing, 
printing, and carpentry are taught. 




An Evening School. 

There are also classes in bookkeeping, mechanical 
drawing, and engineering. 

In the evening schools in many of the larger 
cities classes in English have been formed to give 
instruction to non-English-speaking immigrants. 



EVENING SCHOOLS 139 

Teachers of these classes for immigrants are 
greatly interested in their pupils. 

The teachers work earnestly and diligently to 
help their pupils to speak, read, and write English 
in the shortest possible time. 

All non-English-speaking immigrants should 
avail themselves of the opportunities offered by 
the evening schools. 

They should try to interest all newly arrived 
foreigners so that they, too, may attend some even- 
ing school and become acquainted with the lan- 
guage, customs, and laws of their new home. 

"The end of education is to teach men to find 
pleasure in the best of things." — Spalding. 



Lives of great men all remind us 
We can make our lives sublime, 

And, departing, leave behind us 
Footprints on the sands of time. 

Let us then be up and doing 

With a heart for any fate, 
Still achieving, still pursuing, 

Learn to labor and to wait. 

— H. W. Longfellow. 



140 



PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 





LESSON 


48 






The Public Library 




magazines 


discovery 


heroes 


medicine 


newspapers 


printed 


trades 


geography 


subject 


borrow 


issuing 


librarian 


arranged 


promptly 


disturb 


history 


deface 


invention 


loaned 


study 



"Have you ever visited a public library?" 

"No, I have never been in a public library. 
Have you?" 

"Oh, yes, many times, and I find the library a 
great help to me." 

"In what way does the library help you?" 

"I go to the library to read. 

"I read books, magazines, and newspapers, 
and I learn a great deal about the history of the 
United States, and many other things which I wish 
to know." 

"Can anyone who wishes go to a public library ?" 

"Yes, the public library is free to all who wish 
to go there to read or to study." 

"At what time may one go to the library?" 



THE PUBLIC LIBRARY 



141 



"Any person may visit the library whenever it 
is open." 

"What kind of books are there in a public 
library?" 

"Books of all kinds may be found there. There 




m 



0301 
H0S( 




In a Public Library. 

are histories of the United States and of other 
countries. Histories of discovery and invention ; 
stories of heroes; books on travel, geography, 
medicine, trades, and every other subject." 

"Are all the library books printed in English?" 

"No; besides the books printed in English, 

there are books printed in many other languages." 



142 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

"Who has charge of the public library ?" 

"The library is in charge of a librarian." 

"How do you find the books which you wish to 
read?" 

"When I wish to know the name of a book, I 
look in a catalogue. Then I ask the librarian to 
get it for me." 

" What is a catalogue ? " 

"A catalogue is a list of the books in the library, 
arranged in order, telling in which section of the 
library the books may be found." 

"Do you do all of your reading in the library?" 

"I read all the time I am there, and I sometimes 
borrow a book and take it home." 

"How do you borrow a book?" 

"The library has a system of issuing books for 
home reading. To borrow a book one must have 
a library card." 

"How may the library card be obtained?" 

"The librarian tells you how to obtain one of 
these cards." 

"How long may borrowed books be kept at 
home?" 

"That depends upon the length of time given 



THE PUBLIC LIBRARY 143 

when the book is loaned. Some books may be 
kept one week; others may be kept longer/' 

"Is there any charge for books taken for home 
reading ?" 

"Not if all the rules of the library are strictly 
obeyed. 

"The rules say: 'All who borrow books must 
be particular to keep them clean, and must not 
deface them in any way. 

'"All borrowed books must be returned 
promptly/ " 

"Are there many people in the library at one 
time?" 

"Yes, many go there to read and to study. 

" All visitors to the library must be quiet and 
orderly. 

" The public library makes it possible for boys, 
girls, men, and women to help educate themselves, 
and all who go there should improve their own 
time and do nothing to disturb others who go to 
the library to study." 

"A book is a friend ; a good book is a good friend ; — 
a library is a collection of friends." — Lyman Abbott. 



144 



PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 



LESSON 49 

The Newspaper 

abroad reporter weddings advertising 

printer editor community deaths 

marriage published methods devoted 

rent funerals weekly advertisements 

subscribers manager happenings license 

locate articles local business 

Every one who can do so should read a good 
newspaper every day. 

A good newspaper helps its readers to become 
familiar with the world's work. 

A good newspaper helps its readers by giving 
them the daily news of what people all over the 
world are doing. 

Reading an American newspaper is a great help 
to Americans who wish to keep informed about 
happenings at home and abroad. 

Reading an American newspaper should be a 
far greater help to the non-English-speaking 
strangers in our land. 

An American newspaper helps non-English- 



THE NEWSPAPER 145 

speaking people living in America to learn the 
language of the country. 

It gives them the news of the country. 

It helps them to become acquainted with life 
and work in their new home. 

Our American newspapers are in charge of 
managers, editors, reporters, and printers. 

We have weekly and daily papers. 

Our morning, afternoon, and evening papers are 
printed every day and are called daily papers. 

Our weekly papers are published once a week. 

The newspaper is made up of a number of pages ; 
four, six, ten, and sometimes twelve or fourteen 
pages make up one paper. 

Some pages are devoted to foreign news. 

Upon these pages we find accounts of doings in 
foreign countries. 

Other pages are given up to news of our own 
country and city. 

The pages upon which the city news appear are 
called the local pages. 

On the local pages of a newspaper we find ac- 
counts of happenings in the social and business 
life of our own town or city. 



146 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

Accounts of fires, floods, accidents, deaths, 
funerals, marriages, and weddings are published 
on the local pages. 

There are some pages or parts of pages that are 
given up to advertising. 

Merchants advertise their goods, and real estate 
dealers advertise property on these pages. 

There are sometimes whole pages made up of 
want columns. 

"Help wanted" and "work wanted" advertise- 
ments appear in these want columns. 

Business men and firms who need help advertise 
for it. 

Men and women who need employment adver- 
tise for situations. 

When a person has lost something of value, an 
advertisement in the newspaper may help him to 
recover it. 

An advertisement in the "found" column may 
help one to locate the owner of an article that he 
has found. 

Newspapers are sold on the streets by news- 
boys. 

They are sold at news stands. 



THE BUILDERS 147 

Some are delivered by carriers to the homes of 
city subscribers. 

Some are sold on railroad trains. 

Some papers are mailed to homes of out-of- 
town subscribers. 

By acquainting foreigners with the affairs of 
United States government, American business 
methods, and community life, the newspaper plays 
a very important part in helping to make good 
and useful citizens of the many strangers who 
seek homes and happiness in our country. 

" I ask not wealth, but power to take 

And use the things I have aright, 

Not years, but wisdom that shall make 

My life a profit and delight. " 

— Phcebe Carey. 

LESSON 50 
The Builders 

All are architects of Fate, 

Working in these walls of Time ; 

Some with massive deeds and great, 
Some with ornaments of rhyme. 

PLAIN FACTS 10 



148 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

Nothing useless is, or low ; 

Each thing in its place is best ; 
And what seems but idle show 

Strengthens and supports the rest. 

For the structure that we raise, 
Time is with materials filled ; 

Our to-days — and yesterdays — 
Are the blocks with which we build. 

Truly shape and fashion these ; 

Leave no yawning gaps between ; 
Think not, because no man sees, 

Such things will remain unseen. 

In the elder days of Art, 

Builders wrought with greatest care 
Each minute and unseen part ; 

For the Gods see everywhere. 

Let us do our work as well, 
Both the unseen and the seen ; 

Make the house, where Gods may dwell, 
Beautiful, entire, and clean. 

Else our lives are incomplete, 
Standing in these walls of Time, 



A VISIT TO A DEPARTMENT STORE 

Broken stairways, where the feet 
Stumble as they seek to climb. 

Build to-day, then, strong and sure, 
With a firm and ample base ; 

And ascending and secure 
Shall to-morrow find its place. 

Thus alone can we attain 
To those turrets, where the eye 

Sees the world as one vast plain, 
And one boundless reach of sky. 



149 







— i. 


ONGKtiLLOW. 




LESSON 


51 




A Visit to a Department Store 


gown 


sample 


durable 


elevator 


conductor 


outskirts 


material 


prefer 


alterations 


shopping 


lining 


extensive 


afford 


fare 


instead 


alights 


linings 


serges 


transfer 


parcels 



Mrs. Jones lives in the outskirts of the city, 
some distance from the shopping district. 

Sometimes Mrs. Jones walks from her home to 



150 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

do her trading, as the walk in the fresh air does her 
good. 

To-day Mrs. Jones has so much business to 




In a Department Store. 



attend to that she decides not to walk up town, but 
to take a car instead. 

When she boards the car, Mrs. Jones pays her 
fare and asks the conductor for a transfer. 

Mrs. Jones leaves the car at the transfer station 



A VISIT TO A DEPARTMENT STORE 151 

and waits for one which will take her to the part 
of the city to which she wishes to go. 

The car carries her to one of the busiest sections 
of the city. 

When Mrs. Jones alights from the car, she is 
careful not to step in the way of a passing car or 
other vehicle. 

When she sees her way clear, she crosses the 
street and enters a dry-goods store. 

As she enters the store she notices that since her 
last visit extensive alterations have been made in 
the place. 

Mrs. Jones asks to be directed to the dress goods 
department. 

The floor walker informs her that the dress 
goods have been removed from the old stand on the 
first floor to a larger section on the next floor above. 

He tells her the elevator will carry her to the 
second floor. 

Mrs. Jones goes to the elevator and is carried 
to the second floor. 

She goes to the cloth department : — 

"I should like to look at some dress goods/' 

"What material would you like to see?" 



152 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

"I have not yet made up my mind. What 
material have you?" 

"We have a fine line of serges, cashmere, broad- 
cloth, and various kinds of dress goods." 

"Let me see a piece of the broadcloth." 

"Any particular color, madam?" 

" You may show me a piece of brown broadcloth/' 

"Here is a beautiful piece of brown broadcloth. 
How do you like it?" 

"I should prefer a darker shade of brown. 

"I can afford but one winter gown, and I must 
have something that will be durable." 

"I think serge is far more durable than broad- 
cloth for one who can afford but one winter 
gown." 

" You may show me a piece of dark brown serge." 

"Here is a piece of serge. 

"I know you will find this to wear well." 

"I like that, and I think I shall have a dress 
pattern from that piece." 

"Are you going to buy your linings and trim- 
mings to-day?" 

"Yes, and you may please transfer my goods 
to the lining department." 



A VISIT TO A DEPARTMENT STORE 153 

Mrs. Jones goes to the lining counter and shows 
the clerk a sample of her brown serge. 

She asks to be shown suitable linings for her 
gown. 

After buying the lining, Mrs. Jones goes to the 
section where dress trimmings, buttons, and sew- 
ing silk are on sale. 

Mrs. Jones selects her trimmings and buttons 
with care. 

She tells the clerk she has finished her trading. 

The clerk asks her if she wishes to have her par- 
cels sent to her home. 

Mrs. Jones thanks him and tells him that as 
her dress material, lining, etc. make a large bundle, 
she would like to have them delivered. 

She tells the clerk that when her purchases can 
be done up in small packages, she always prefers 
to carry them home. 

The clerk asks her why she prefers to carry her 
packages. 

Mrs. Jones tells him that carrying her own pack- 
ages does not inconvenience her at all, and in doing 
so she helps to lighten the work and shorten the 
hours of the delivery men. 



154 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

Mrs. Jones gives the clerk her name and address. 
She thanks him for his courtesy and bids him 
Good afternoon. 





LESSON 52 






The United States 




resources 


ambition thrift 


vast 


industries 


willing earning 


living 


employ 


natural known 


very 



This country is known as the United States of 
America. 

Why is this country called the United States? 

America is known as the United States because 
it is a nation composed of many states united 
under one government. 

The United States is a great nation. 

The United States is a very powerful nation. 

The United States is a very prosperous nation. 

The United States is a nation of opportunities. 

America is a great nation because it is a nation 
of free and equal men and women. 

The United States is a great nation because its 
states are united for the good of the nation, for the 



THE UNITED STATES 155 

good of each state in the nation, and for the good 
of each and every person living in them. 

America is a powerful nation because of its wise 
and just laws and because of the unity of its states 
and of its people. 

America is a prosperous nation because of its 
government, because of its people, and because of 
its vast resources and natural wealth. 

The care which the United States government 
gives to its people in looking after their welfare 
has helped to make America a prosperous country. 

The ambition and great thrift of the American 
people have helped to make the United States a 
prosperous country. 

Every person in the United States is given 
opportunity to enjoy his right to life, health, hap- 
piness, education, and prosperity. 

The government of the country gives to every 
law-abiding person the right to employ every 
honest means in his power to make a good 
living. 

The natural resources and vast industries of the 
country afford every willing person some means of 
earning an honest living. 



156 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

Through education each person is given the 
opportunity to become an intelligent citizen. 

"Lord of the Universe ! shield us and guide us, 
Trusting thee always, through shadow and sun ! 
Thou hast united us, who shall divide us ? 
Keep us, keep us, the Many in One." 

— 0. W. Holmes. 





LESSON 53 






First Settlers 


in America 


settlers 


expeditions 


explore 


territory 


immigrants 


settlements 


colonies 


immigration 


colonists 


suffered 


savage 


animals 


Indians 


beasts 


crops 


increased 



America was not always known as the United 
States. 

To understand why and how America became 
the United States, we must learn something of the 
life of the first settlers in America. 

After the discovery of America by Christopher 
Columbus, in 1492, England, Spain, and France 
sent out many expeditions to explore the newly 
discovered country and to claim new territory 
for their kings and queens. 



FIRST SETTLERS IN AMERICA 



157 







Discovery of America by Columbus. 



158 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

The Spanish discovered and claimed a great 
deal of territory in the New World. 

The French claimed Canada and a part of the 
country now belonging to the United States. 

England claimed all those parts of America 
that were discovered by explorers sent out by the 
English government. 

The first settlers in America came from Spain, 
France, and England many years after its dis- 
covery by Columbus. 

Thus the first settlers in this country were im- 
migrants from some European country. 

While many of the first immigrants to America 
came from Spain and France, the largest immigra- 
tion came from England. 

Later, many of America's early settlers mi- 
grated from Ireland, Germany, Holland, and Scot- 
land. 

At one time the parts of America that were 
settled by the first immigrants were called settle- 
ments. 

Later these settlements were called colonies. 

The people of these colonies were called colonists. 

They were called colonists because while they 



FIRST SETTLERS IN AMERICA 159 

had settled in a strange country they were still 
under the rule of their native country. 

These early immigrants encountered many dif- 
ficulties in their new homes. 

They had but little money, and many of them 
were very poor. Often they suffered from hunger, 
for they had but little food to eat. 

Many times they suffered from cold, for in those 
early days they had no warm houses. 

Frequently they were in danger from savage 
Indians or from fierce wild beasts. 

These early settlers, however, were very brave 
and, in time, they won in their fight against pov- 
erty, cold, Indians, and wild beasts. 

After a few years many of the colonists had become 
prosperous and were living in comfortable homes. 

They had plenty to eat, for they had been able to 
raise good crops on their lands. 

They were able to make cloth for their clothing. 

Trading was begun and carried on between the 
different colonies. Trading was also carried on 
between the colonies and Europe. 

As time went on the colonists increased greatly 
in numbers as well as in wealth and prosperity. 



160 



PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 





LESSON 54 




How America became 


the United States 


finally 


ownership 


tidings 


revolution 


longed 


battles 


terrible 


glorious 


introduced 


courageous 


heavily 


tribes 


continental 


submit 


refused 


unjustly 


restrictions 


declared 


commands 


character 


fierce 


injustice 


rang 


resolution 



For many years after this country was first 
settled each foreign nation ruled over its own 
colonies in America. 

Thirteen colonies were under English rule. 

England and France went to war over owner- 
ship of the central and western parts of our country. 

England claimed some of the lands upon which 
the French had made settlements. 

An English army was sent to fight the French 
in America. 

The English and American colonists joined the 
English army in the war against the French. 

The French were helped by many tribes of 
Indians, who fought against the English. 

The French were defeated after a long and 



HOW AMERICA BECAME THE UNITED STATES 161 

terrible war. This war with France cost England 
a great deal of money. 

The king of England thought that the colonists 
should help pay the cost of the war. 




In the War of the American Revolution. 

The colonists did not think they should do so. 
The English, therefore, tried to compel them to 
pay a share of the great expense by taxing them 
heavily. 

The English government also treated the colo- 
nists unjustly in many other ways. 

Certain restrictions were placed upon the trade 



162 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

carried on between America and all foreign coun- 
tries except England. 

The colonists were self-respecting and very 
courageous people, and they refused to pay the 
heavy taxes imposed by the English govern- 
ment. 

They felt that England had treated them un- 
justly. 

Finally they planned to free themselves and 
their colonies from the rule of England. 

They wanted to govern themselves instead of 
being governed by a foreign country. 

They therefore refused to obey the king's orders 
or to submit to the restrictions that had been 
placed upon their trade with foreign nations. 

Then the king sent soldiers to force them to 
obey the orders of his government. 

In the year 1774 a number of colonists of high 
and noble character met together in a Congress 
known as the Continental Congress. 

This Congress declared that the colonies would 
not submit to the demands of the king. 

In the following year war was begun between 
England and America. 



HOW AMERICA BECAME TTTE UNITED STATES 163 

This war has always been known as the American 
Revolution. 

In June, 1776, a resolution was introduced into 
Congress "that these United Colonies are, and of 
right ought to be, free and independent states." 

On July 4, 1776, in the state house of Phila- 
delphia, the Declaration of Independence was 
signed, and the United Colonies became the 
United States of America. 

The state house has since been known as In- 
dependence Hall. 

Home of the Free 

Noble Republic ! Happiest of Lands ! 
Foremost of nations, Columbia stands ! 
Freedom's proud banner floats in the skies ! 
Where shouts of Liberty daily arise 

United we stand, divided we fall ; 

Union forever, freedom for all. 
Throughout this world our motto shall be, 

" Viva L' America, Home of the Free." 



PLAIN FACTS 11 



164 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

LESSON 55 

Why the Constitution was Needed 

trouble real perfect presided 

effect stating purpose adoption 

We have learned that when the thirteen colonies 
became free from England, a new nation was 
formed. 

When this new nation was formed, a new govern- 
ment was needed to guide it. 

In November, 1777, Congress formulated a 
plan of government for the United States. 

After having lived under this government for 
some time, the people of the United States began 
to have political troubles. 

In the government for the new nation there was 
a legislative department, but there was no execu- 
tive department. 

Laws were made, but they could not be enforced. 

There was no chief executive officer or head of 
the government. 

The people found that under the new govern- 
ment there was no real unity of states or of people. 



WHY THE CONSTITUTION WAS NEEDED 165 

They saw that their form of government was 
not the kind needed for a new nation. 

Then the people knew that they must have a 
stronger form of government if they would have 
a powerful, peaceful, and prosperous nation. 

They saw that if they would enjoy real freedom, 
perfect unity, peace, and prosperity, they must 
have a national government. 

They saw that a set of laws, stating clearly the 
rights and privileges of the people, of the states, 
and of the nation, was necessary. 

They therefore determined that they would 
have a national constitution with some one at 
the head of the government to enforce the na- 
tional laws. 

In 1787 a convention was held for the purpose 
of forming a national constitution. 

In 1789 the United States Constitution went 
into effect, and George Washington became the 
first president of the United States. 

Prosperity followed the adoption of the Consti- 
tution. 

The Constitution gave strength and unity to 
the nation. 



166 



PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 



It gave equal rights and privileges to every 
man and woman in the nation. 

It gave to the nation a chief executive officer 
whose duty it has always been to faithfully execute 
all the national laws of our country. 

Introduction to United States Constitution 

"We, the people of the United States, in order to 
form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure 
domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defence, 
promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings 
of liberty to ourselves and our posterity do ordain and 
establish this Constitution for the United States of 
America/ ' 





LESSON 56 






Our First President. 




surveyor 


possession 


gratitude 


admiration 


leadership 


retired 


faith 


mourned 


burdened 


inaugurated 


unanimously 


resulted 



George Washington was born in Virginia on Feb- 
ruary 22, 1732. 

As a boy George Washington was truthful, 
honest, noble, and brave. 



OUR FIRST PRESIDENT 



167 



n lE9i 



He was fond of study, and although there were 
no public schools he received a good education. 

At the age of sixteen years he became a surveyor. 

For several years he was engaged in the work of 
measuring land. 

When George Washing- 
ton was about twenty-one jjMjp 
years old, the war between 
England and France 
broke out in America. 

This war, as we have 
read, was brought about 
by England's claim to 
lands of which the French 
had taken possession. 

We have read of how the English government 
sent soldiers to America to help the colonists fight 
the French. 

During this long struggle between France and 
England George Washington fought bravely for 
England and received his first lessons in war. 

Many years later, when England unjustly taxed 
and burdened the colonists, George Washington 
led the colonists in war against England. 




~^ 5^1? 



George Washington. 



168 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

We have read of the great war for independence, 
known as the American Revolution. 

George Washington commanded the army of the 
United States in this war. 

When the Revolutionary war was ended, George 
Washington returned to his home in Virginia. 

As George Washington had been their leader 
in their great struggle for freedom and independ- 
ence, the American people wanted him to be their 
leader in their new government. 

Respected and loved by all Americans he 
was chosen first president of the United States. 
John Adams was elected vice president. 

George Washington took the oath of office, 
and was inaugurated as first president of the 
United States on April 30, 1789. 

President Washington was reelected in 1792. 

Filled with gratitude and admiration for his 
noble leadership in war and in peace, many of the 
American people wished to make George Washing- 
ton their president for the third time. 

But President Washington refused this honor. 

When his second term of office expired, he made 
a farewell address to his people. 



OUR FIRST PRESIDENT 



169 












Washington at Mt. Vernon. 

He retired from public life and returned to his 
home at Mt. Vernon, Virginia. 

As a citizen, as a soldier, and as chief of the 
nation, George Washington won the faith, love, and 
respect of all Americans. 

George Washington died at Mt. Vernon, Vir- 
ginia, December 14, 1799. 

From Washington's Farewell Address 
"The unity of government which constitutes you 
one people is now dear to you. It is justly so ; for it 
is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence 
— the support of your tranquillity at home, your peace 
abroad, of your safety, of your prosperity, of that very 
liberty which you so highly prize." 



170 



PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 



LESSON 57 

Two Signers of the Declaration of 
Independence 



electrical 


famous 


committee 


contributed 


rendered 


oppression 


distinguished 


illustrious 


author 


inventor 


journalist 


draft 


cabinet 


candle 


postmaster 


immortal 


founders 


desire 


career 


philosopher 



Among the eminent men who drew up and 
signed the Declaration of Independence, there 
were two who, because of the 
many valuable services they 
rendered their country, became 
more famous than the others. 

These two illustrious men 
were Thomas Jefferson and 
Benjamin Franklin. 

Thomas Jefferson, author 
and one of the signers of the 
Declaration of Independence, was born in Vir- 
ginia, April 13, 1743. 

He received a good education, studied law, and 
became a successful lawyer. 




Thomas Jefferson. 



THE DECLARATION OF INDEPEN DENCE 



171 



He was a member of Congress when the colonists 
found they could no longer submit to the oppression 
of England. 

When the Congress declared itself in favor of in- 
dependence, a committee of five of America's 
most prominent ^»sA&«^ — 



men was appointed 
to draft a declara- 
tion. 

Thomas Jefferson 
was a member of 
that committee. 

At the request of 
the other members 
of the committee 
Thomas Jefferson 

Wrote the declara- Room in which the Declaration of 

Independence was Signed. 

tion which brought 

about the independence of the colonies. 

From 1779 to 1781, the last two years of the 
Revolutionary war, Thomas Jefferson served as 
governor of Virginia. 

George Washington, when elected first presi- 
dent of the United States, appointed Thomas 




172 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

Jefferson a member of the first United States 

cabinet. 

[, Mr. Jefferson served in President Washington's 

cabinet as secretary of state. 

As first secretary of state, Thomas Jefferson 
gave valuable assistance to the new govern- 
ment. 

In 1801 this distinguished statesman was elected 
third president of the United States. 

He was twice elected and served two terms as 
president of the nation. 

In Monticello, Virginia, on July 4, 1826, just 
fifty years from the day on which his immortal 
Declaration gave liberty to the people of America, 
Thomas Jefferson died. 

Benjamin Franklin, one of the founders of the 
United States government, a signer of the Declara- 
tion of Independence, and a member of the con- 
vention to form the national constitution, was born 
in Boston, January 17, 1706. 

Benjamin Franklin was printer, inventor, jour- 
nalist, philosopher, diplomat, and statesman. 

As a boy he worked with his father at soap 
boiling and candle making. 



THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE 173 



When he was still a boy, he went to work in his 
brother's printing office. 

Benjamin Franklin was very fond of study, 
and although he worked hard and diligently, he 
found time for reading and study. 

Out of his small earnings he managed to save 
something with which to 
buy good books. 

His great desire for 
knowledge led him to make 
many valuable discoveries. 

Benjamin Franklin 
worked at printing for 
some time, and finally, in 
1729, he became the pub- 
lisher of a newspaper. 

In 1737, while still a young man, Benjamin 
Franklin was made postmaster general of the 
colonies. 

For some years he devoted himself almost 
entirely to the study of science, and made many 
electrical discoveries. 

Benjamin Franklin contributed valuable services 
to the cause of American freedom. 




Benjamin Franklin. 



174 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

During his long career as a statesman and 
diplomat he exerted a very strong influence for 
good. 

Benjamin Franklin died in Philadelphia, April 
17, 1790. 

LESSON 58 
A Framer of the Constitution 



framing 


"skill 


ablest 


failure 


ambitious 


studious 


defending 


artillery 


ability 


confidential 


commission 


brilliant 


created 


financial 


advice 


practice 



The great work of framing the Constitution of 
the United States required the skill of many of 
the ablest men in America. 

A framer of the Constitution, who gave valuable 
aid in organizing and strengthening the United 
States government, and who afterward devoted 
many years to the service of his country, was 
Alexander Hamilton. 

Alexander Hamilton was born in the West 
Indies, January 11, 1757. 

He was the son of a Scotch father and a French 
mother. 



A FRAMER OF THE CONSTITUTION 



175 



When he was twelve years old, because of his 
father's failure in business, Alexander Hamilton 
was obliged to leave school and go to work. 

He was ambitious, studious, and anxious to 
obtain a good education. 

Friends assisted him to return to school and 
continue his studies. 

When he was seventeen 
years old, he entered a col- 
lege in New York. 

When the first trouble 
arose between England 
and America, Alexander 
Hamilton wrote papers 
defending the rights of the 
Americans. 

When the Revolutionary war broke out, he 
was made captain of artillery in the American 
army. 

Because of his ability and sound judgment, 
Alexander Hamilton became a confidential friend 
of General George Washington. 

In 1777 he was appointed an assistant to General 
Washington. 




1 \ • 

Alexander Hamilton. 



176 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

Later he received his commission as colonel in 
the army. 

At the close of the war he took up the study of 
law, and became one of the most brilliant lawyers 
in America. 

When the new government was created, and 
George Washington was made president, Alexander 
Hamilton was appointed secretary of the United 
States treasury. 

In 1795 he returned to the practice of law, but 
he did not give up his political life. 

He continued to interest himself in the welfare 
of his government, and to his good influence the 
United States government owes much of its 
strength. 

Alexander Hamilton was a brave soldier, a wise 
statesman, and an eminent lawyer. 

When he was called upon to help in drafting 
plans for a national government, he took a most 
prominent part in making the Constitution. 

With the adoption of the Constitution he realized 
his ambition to establish a government that would 
in time produce a strong nation. 

As a lawyer, he gave valuable advice to the 



THE AMERICAN FLAG 177 

president and members of his cabinet, relating to 
United States government. 

As secretary of the United States treasury he 
greatly improved the financial condition of the 
country. 

America never knew a greater statesman than 
Alexander Hamilton, and when he died, July 12, 
1804, the whole nation mourned. 





LESSON 59 






The American Flag 




designed 


feelings design 


alternate 


resolved 


honorable originally 


growth 


message 


pure loyalty 


loyal 



The early Americans did not carry our stars 
and stripes as their flag. 

In the colonial days the Americans were under 
the rule of England and flew the English flag. 

At the time of the American Revolution flags 
were designed to show the feelings of the Americans. 

At various times during the war flags of several 
kinds were carried by the American soldiers. 



178 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 




First Reading of the Declaration, of Independence 



THE AMERICAN FLAG 179 

Not until after the Declaration of Independence 
had made the colonies free and independent states 
was there any national flag. 

Each of the colonies had been made a state. 

Each state now belonged to the new nation. 

The new nation must have a national flag. 

There were committees appointed to design an 
American flag. 

Congress decided upon a design for a flag. 

On June 14, 1777, Congress passed a reso- 
lution telling how the American flag should be 
made. 

At length it was decided that the flag should 
have thirteen stripes. The stripes were to be 
" alternate red and white." 

The flag was to have a field of blue with thirteen 
white stars upon it. 

There was to be a stripe in the flag for each of 
the states. There was to be a star in the flag for 
each of the states. 

So the first United States flag was made with 
thirteen stars and thirteen stripes. 

Later it was resolved that the stripes should 
continue to be thirteen, but that a star should 

PLAIN FACTS 12 



180 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

be added for every new state that came into the 
Union. 

Each star and each stripe in the United States 
flag tells an honorable story. 

The thirteen stripes tell us of the thirteen states 
which originally formed our Union. 

The stars tell us of the growth of our Union. 

Each stripe, each star, and each color in the 
American flag tells the story of what the flag 
stands for. 

The American flag stands for justice. 

It stands for liberty. 

It stands for unity. 

It stands for order. 

Each color in the flag bears a message to us. 

The red tells of the bravery of the men and 
women who helped to make the nation. 

The red tells us to be fearless in supporting the 
cause of justice and right. 

The white tells of the pure and noble lives of 
the founders of our nation. 

The white tells us to live so that we may 
be worthy citizens of the country which is our 
home. 



NATIONAL GOVERNMENT 181 

The blue tells a story of the loyalty of the 
early Americans who helped to make the United 
States. 

The blue tells us to be loyal Americans, true 
to our God, to our country,. and to our flag. 





LESSON 60 






National Government 




jurisdiction 


control 


descended 


harmony 


individual 


hamlet 


town 


supreme 


reigns 



In the United States there is one government 
which is superior to all others. 

This supreme government is called the national 
government. 

All laws for the government of the United States 
are made by the national government. 

Why is the supreme government of the United 
States called the national government ? 

Because it is by the rulings and laws of this 
national government that the whole nation is 
governed. 

By what authority is the national government 



182 



PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 



the supreme power over all other branches of gov- 
ernment ? 

The Constitution of the United States gives 
the national government power to preside over 
and control all other branches of government. 




The Capitol where the National Laws are Made. 



The national government is higher than any 
state or city government. 

All laws for the government of village, city, and 
state have descended from the power given to the 
national government by the national constitution. 

Thus over all city and state constitutions the 
national constitution is to be observed and revered. 



THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT 183 

Over all village, state, and city laws the laws 
of the nation are to be regarded and obeyed. 

All village, town, city, and state laws must agree 
with the national laws. 

Over each individual in the Union, over each 
state, city, town, and hamlet in the Union, reigns 
one supreme government — the national govern- 
ment — "of the people, for the people, by the 
people/ ' 

LESSON 61 

The National Government 
Congress 

administering represents population 

In the national government as well as in the 
state and city governments there are three main 
departments. 

The work of the national government is divided 
among these three departments — the legislative, 
the executive, and the judicial departments. 

We have learned that the legislative department 
is the law-making, the executive the law-enforcing, 
and the judicial the law-administering departments 
of government. 



184 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

The law-making department of the national 
government is Congress. 

The powers and duties of Congress are estab- 
lished by the Constitution of the United States. 

Congress meets in the National Capitol building 
at Washington, D. C. 

Congress is composed of two law-making bodies, 
the United States senate and the house of repre- 
sentatives. 

These two houses of Congress meet regularly 
once a year. 

The United States senate is called the upper 
house of Congress. 

The United States senate represents the states 
of the Union. 

Two senators from each state compose the 
United States senate. 

United States senators are chosen by the voters 
of each state. 

They are chosen for terms of six years. 

The senators are the representatives of all the 
people of a state. 

The presiding officer in the senate is the vice 
president of the United States. 



THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT 185 

The members of the house of representatives 
are chosen by the voters of the country. 

Each state sends a certain number of represen- 
tatives to Congress. 

Some states send more representatives than 
others. 

The population of the state determines the 
number of representatives a state may send to 
Congress. 

Representatives are elected for terms of two 
years each. 

The speaker presides over the house of repre- 
sentatives. 

The house of representatives is called the 
lower house of Congress. 

LESSON 62 

The National Government (Continued) 

The President 

besides electors carried ceremony 

oath pledges solemnly swear 

The chief executive officer of the national 
government is the president. 



186 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

Besides being the chief executive officer of the 
national government the president is the com- 
mander in chief of the entire military force of the 
United States. 

The president is chosen once in every four years. 

The president is sometimes chosen for a second 
term. 

The president is elected by electors. 

These electors are chosen by the voters in each 
state. 

The office of president is the highest in the 
United States government. 

Only a native citizen of the United States can 
be chosen to be president of the United States. 

The duties of the president are many. 

The chief duty of the president is to see that 
all the national laws are carried into effect. 

On the fourth day of March following the 
presidential election, the president elect is inau- 
gurated. 

At the inauguration ceremony the president 
elect takes the oath of office. 

When he takes the oath of office, he pledges him- 
self to faithfully execute the national laws. 



THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT 



187 



He says: "I do solemnly swear that I will 
faithfully execute the office of President of the 
United States, and will, to the best of my ability, 




The White House. 

preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of 
the United States." 

During his term of office the president makes his 
home in Washington, D, C. 

The executive mansion where the president 
resides while in Washington is called the White 
House. 

There is a vice president chosen at the time the 
president is chosen. 



188 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

One of the duties of the vice president is to 
preside over the United States senate. 

In case of the illness or death of the president the 
vice president becomes the chief executive officer 
of the nation. 

He executes the laws and performs all the duties 
of the office of president. 

LESSON 63 
The National Government (Continued) 
United States Cabinet 



divided 


dealings 


navy 


agriculture 


commerce 


agricultural 


affairs 


patents 


pensions 


cabinet 


industry 


census 



In the national government the work of en- 
forcing and administering the law is divided into 
ten departments. 

Each of the ten departments has its official 
head. 

The heads of these ten departments together 
form the United States cabinet, and is known as 
the president's cabinet. 

The United States cabinet is composed of men 



THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT 189 

under whom the work of these ten departments is 
carried out. 

The president appoints this cabinet. 

The president advises with his cabinet upon all 
matters of importance to the government. 

The ten departments over which the members 
of the United States cabinet preside are : — 

Department of State, 

Treasury Department, 

War Department, 

Navy Department, 

Department of the Interior, 

Post-office Department, 

Department of Justice, 

Department of Agriculture, 

Department of Commerce, 

Department of Labor. 

The secretary of state, whose duty it is to carry 
on the official dealings between the United States 
government and other governments, is the chief 
officer of the state department. 

The secretary of the treasury is the official head 
of the treasury department, and has charge of the 
money affairs of national government. 



190 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

The secretary of war, together with the presi- 
dent of the United States, presides over the 
war department, and controls the United States 
army affairs. 

With the president, the secretary of the navy is 
at the head of the navy department. 

The sale of public lands, the management of 
Indian affairs, granting of patents and paying 
of pensions are looked after by the secretary of 
the interior. 

The postmaster general establishes post offices, 
has charge of the United States mail service, and 
all matters connected with the United States post- 
office department. 

It is the duty of the attorney-general to preside 
over the department of justice and to attend to all 
suits in United States courts in which the nation 
is interested. 

The attorney-general gives his opinion upon all 
legal questions brought before him by the president 
or officers of United States government. 

The secretary of agriculture looks after the 
agricultural interests of the country. 

All matters relating to the interests of commerce, 



THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT 191 

labor, and industry are looked after by the 
secretaries of commerce and labor. 

LESSON 64 

The National Government (Continued) 

Judicial Department 

judiciary appeals circuit appealed 

The Constitution provides for a national judicial 
department of government. 

The judicial department of the national govern- 
ment consists of three grades of courts. 

These three grades are as follows : the supreme 
court, the circuit court of appeals, and the district 
courts. 

The United States Supreme Court is the most 
powerful court in the nation. 

Supreme means highest in power, 

The United States Supreme Court was estab- 
lished by the Constitution of the United States. 

The other national courts were established by 
Congress. 

The supreme court of the United States consists 
of nine judges. 



192 



PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 



The nine judges of the supreme court are called 
justices. 

Of these nine justices there is one who is called 
chief justice of the supreme court. 




The Supreme Court. 

These justices are appointed for life. 

The next below the supreme court are the nine 
circuit courts of appeals. 

There are many district courts. 

Sometimes justices of the supreme court pre- 
side in the circuit court of appeals. 

Each of the numerous district courts has its 
own judges. 

No cases are tried in the United States Supreme 
Court ; but appeals from other courts are decided 
there. 



UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE 193 

Only cases of much importance can be appealed 
to the supreme court. 

Cases are carried to the circuit court of appeals 
from the district courts. 

Very important cases may be appealed from the 
circuit court of appeals to the supreme court. 





LESS 


ON 65 


United States Postal Service 


postal 


service 


mail distributed 


postage 


employee 


detain addressed 


safeguarded 


registry 


registered insures 


assistant 


fee 


receipt transferring 


security 


applicant 


application payable 



The Constitution gives the United States gov- 
ernment power to establish post offices and postal 
service for every city, town, and village in America. 

The postmaster general, a member of the United 
States cabinet, is at the head of the United States 
mail service. 

Through the national postal service mail is 
collected, carried, and distributed through all 
parts of America. 



194 



PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 



The United States mail service was established 
by law and is safeguarded by law. 

Any person who interferes in any way with a 
post-office employee engaged in handling or carry- 
ing mail may be severely punished by law. 




In a Post Office. 

Mail is intended for the person or persons to 
whom it is addressed, and no one should open a 
letter belonging to another. 

It is against the law to detain or interfere with 
mail addressed to another person. 

In the post offices of cities there are several 
departments. 



UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE 195 

In charge of each post office and of the several 
departments is the postmaster, and sometimes 
the great amount of work requires the services of 
an assistant postmaster. 

In the city post offices there is a mailing depart- 
ment, a delivery department, a registry depart- 
ment, a money-order department, and a section 
where postage stamps are sold. 

Valuable letters should be registered, as a 
registry stamp insures greater security for valuable 
mail. 

The fee for registration is ten cents, in addition 
to the regular postage. 

The clerk at the registry department gives a 
receipt for the letter registered. 

For the convenience of the public, and to 
insure greater safety in transferring money 
through the mails, the United States post-office 
authorities have established a uniform money- 
order system. 

When filling out an application for a money 
order, the applicant must write his name and the 
name and address of the party to whom the order 
is to be paid. 

PLAIN FACTS 13 



196 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

The amount and date of the application must 
also be written. 

Money orders are payable only to the person 
or persons in whose name they are drawn. 

The post-office authorities endeavor to insure the 
safe delivery of all mail. 

Sometimes persons to whom mail is addressed 
cannot be found. 

Sometimes mistakes are made in addressing 
mail matter. 

When persons to whom mail is addressed can- 
not be found, or when the name of the sender is 
not known, the mail is forwarded to the dead-letter 
office at Washington, D. C. 

If the sender's name and address is written on 
an envelope, the letter will be returned to him. 

In addressing mail the writer should be sure — ■ 

To write very plainly the name and address of 
the person to whom he is sending the letter. 

To place sufficient postage in the upper right- 
hand corner of the envelope. 

To write his own name and address in the upper 
left-hand corner of the envelope. 



ADVICE TO IMMIGRANTS 197 





LESSON 66 






Advice to Immigrants 




bestows 


debt strive 


credit 


accordance 


customs repay 


benefit 



The United States government bestows many 
benefits upon the people of the United States. 

It bestows numerous benefits upon the many 
foreigners who come to live and make a home in 
this country. 

The government of the United States expects 
the American people and the many strangers who 
come from foreign countries to do something in 
return for the benefits they receive from it. 

What does the government expect in return for 
the great care and protection given to its citizens 
and to the strangers who seek a* home here? 

The United States government expects its 
citizens and all people living here to respect and 
obey the laws of the country, and to live as good 
and useful citizens. 

How can foreigners help repay the United 
States government for the many privileges and 



198 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

opportunities offered and the great care given 
them by the government ? 

Upon coming to America the first thing a for- 
eigner should do is to learn to speak, read, and 
write the language of the country. 

By learning the language of the country the 
foreigner fits himself to study and become ac- 
quainted with the laws of the country. 

By respecting and obeying the laws of the 
country he helps repay the debt he owes to the 
government. 

Is there no other reason why the foreigner should 
endeavor to learn the language and laws of the 
country ? 

All self-respecting foreigners will strive to learn 
the language and laws of the country as soon as 
possible in order that they may become good 
American citizens, able to fully enjoy the many 
privileges given by the government. 

Is an acquaintance with the language and laws 
sufficient to make the foreigner a successful 
citizen ? 

If the foreigner wishes to be successful in busi- 
ness and happy in his home and social life, he 



HOW THE GOVERNMENT PROTECTS CITIZENS 199 

must acquaint himself with the business and social 
customs as well as with the language and laws of 
his new home. 

If the foreigner wishes to be a credit to himself 
and to the community in which he has made his 
home, he must live in accordance with these laws 
and customs. 





LESSON 67 




HOW THE 


Government protects 


its Citizens 


unrestrained 


accorded 


willfully 


deprive 


riotous 


contrary 


decency 


reputation 


compelling 


threats 


bodily 


injury 


competent 


safety 


endanger 



We have learned that each American citizen 
has a right to be free and unrestrained, so that he 
may fully enjoy the freedom, rights, and privileges 
accorded him by the United States government. 

We must learn how the government aims to 
protect its citizens in the enjoyment of their rights. 

The government endeavors to protect its citi- 
zens in their rights to peace, health, life, and 
safety : — 



200 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

1. By making laws to restrain or punish those 
who willfully deprive them of these rights. 

2. By forbidding all riotous acts and conduct 
contrary to order and decency. 

3. By forbidding all acts and conduct that 
might in any way interfere with the health or 
lives of its people. 

4. By punishing all who willfully injure another's 
reputation or property. 

5. By restraining and compelling to keep the 
peace all who make threats of bodily injury to 
another. 

6. By making and enforcing laws prohibiting 
the construction of unsafe buildings. 

7. By making and enforcing laws and ordi- 
nances providing for proper fire protection. 

8. By providing sufficient and competent police 
protection. 

9. By making and enforcing laws compelling 
children to attend school. 

10. By compelling children to attend school 
until they have reached a certain age. 

11. By making laws compelling all owners and 
occupants of business and dwelling places to keep 



WHOM DOES THE GOVERNMENT PROTECT ? 201 

them in safe and sanitary condition so as not to 
endanger the health or lives of others. 

12. By ordering certain of its citizens to take up 
arms in war, if by so doing the lives and property 
of others may be saved. 



LESSON 68 
Whom does the Government Protect? 

permanent claims remain naturalized 

naturalization owe whether entitled 

To be secure in their just claims and to enjoy 
the privileges and opportunities given by the 
United States government, American citizens must 
be under the protection of the government. 

To whom does the government owe its 
protection ? 

The government owes its protection to each 
and all of its subjects. 

Who are the government's subjects? 

A person is subject to the government and laws 
and under the protection of the country in which 
he makes his permanent home. 



202 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

Who are subjects of the United States 
government ? 

Persons born in the United States and persons 
who have been naturalized as citizens are American 
citizens and are subjects of the United States 
government. 

How long does the United States protect its 
subjects ? 

A citizen of the United States, whether born in 
this country or made a citizen by naturalization, 
is under the protection of the United States govern- 
ment so long as he remains a subject of the United 
States. 

Is a citizen of the United States under the pro- 
tection of the United States if he be traveling 
abroad ? 

An American citizen, whether born in this 
country or made a citizen by law, is under the 
protection of the United States government where- 
ever he may travel. 

Are people living in the United States who were 
not born here, and who have not been naturalized, 
subject to the laws of the United States? 

Persons living in this country who were not born 



WHAT CITIZENS ARE ENTITLED TO 203 

here, and have not become citizens by law, are sub- 
ject to the laws of the country so long as they 
remain in the country. 

Are people living here, yet who are not American 
citizens, entitled to the protection of the United 
States government ? 

Persons living in this country who are not 
American citizens are entitled to the protection 
of the United States government only so long as 
they remain in this country. 

LESSON 69 
What Citizens are entitled To 

trespass forfeited provided 

equal others execute 

Every man, woman, and child born in the United 
States is an American citizen. 

Every foreigner who has been naturalized in the 
United States is an American citizen. 

All American citizens have equal rights to the 
freedom and liberty, opportunities and privileges 
guaranteed by the Constitution of the United 
States. 



204 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

The law gives to United States citizens equal 
liberty to be free to enjoy their rights. 

What are the equal rights to which all American 
citizens are entitled ? 

Each citizen is at equal liberty with every other 
citizen to think, speak, and act freely, provided 
he does not trespass upon the rights of others. 

Every man, woman, and child in the United 
States is entitled to protection of life, health, 
peace, and property. 

In America every one has a right to protection 
from the dangerous acts of others. 

Each citizen has a right to freely use and enjoy 
what he has acquired by honest labor. 

Each citizen has a right to live in peace. Each 
citizen has a right to be protected from those who 
would disturb his peace. 

Every male citizen who has reached the age of 
twenty-one years has a right to vote upon ques- 
tions of government. 

By voting, each citizen has a right to share in 
the government of the country. 

By voting, each citizen has a right to help elect 
persons to make and execute our laws. 






DUTIES OF AMERICAN CITIZENS 205 

Each citizen has a right to share in establishing 
and maintaining the government. 

While traveling abroad each American citizen 
has a just claim to, and is under the protection of, 
the United States government and flag. 

May the rights bestowed upon American citi- 
zens by the government ever be forfeited ? 

The rights granted by the United States govern- 
ment may be forfeited by wrongdoing. 



"To do right 


is 


the essential thing." 


— Spalding. 






LESSON 70 






Duties 


of American Citizens 




obligations 




impose 




enjoins 


responsibilities 




intelligently 




incite 


unlawful 




companions 




sober 


industrious 




encourage 




example 



We have learned that the laws of this country 
give to every citizen equal rights and equal op- 
portunities to enjoy the freedom and liberty 
bestowed by the United States government. 

Does the government which grants so many 



206 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

rights and so many advantages to its people 
impose any obligations or duties upon them ? 

The government that accords equal rights and 
opportunities to all enjoins equal duties and equal 
responsibilities upon all. 

Why does the government impose equal re- 
sponsibilities and equal duties upon all its citizens ? 

The duties and obligations enjoined by the 
government are established by law and custom 
for the protection and general welfare of the people. 

These duties and obligations are established to 
secure order and to promote peace, safety, pros- 
perity, and happiness among the people. 

Are citizens obliged to perform all the duties 
imposed by the government ? 

Each individual citizen is obliged to perform 
these duties, if the freedom and advantages given 
by the government for all are to be enjoyed by all. 

What are the duties of an American citizen ? 

It is the duty of every American citizen : — 

1. To study the history and laws of the United 
States. 

2. To learn how and why these laws were made. 

3. To study the laws of state and city. 



DUTIES OF AMERICAN CITIZENS 207 

4. To respect and obey all the laws. 

5. To be respectful and obedient to all officers 
of the law. 

6. To prepare himself to vote. 

7. To vote intelligently upon all questions for 
the good of the country. 

8. To take up arms, if necessary, in defense of 
the country. 

9. To help to secure order and protect fellow- 
citizens from harm. 

How can citizens help secure order and protect 
fellow-citizens from harm? 

No law-abiding citizen will interfere with the 
rights and freedom of others. 

No law-abiding citizen will incite others to com- 
mit unlawful or disorderly acts. 

All good citizens will not only endeavor to re- 
strain friends and companions from breaking the 
law, but they will encourage them to assist the 
government to enforce the law. 

By living honest, sober, industrious lives we 
may be good examples and give encouragement 
to our fellow-citizens to live the lives of good 
Americans. 



208 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

LESSON 71 
The Rights and Duties of Aliens 

Until he has been made a citizen by law, a 
foreign-born resident of a country is known as an 
alien. 

Does an alien possess the rights and privileges 
of citizenship ? 

An alien is not entitled to the rights or privileges 
of American citizenship until he has become an 
American citizen. 

Are aliens under the protection of the United 
States government ? 

The United States government protects the 
alien only so long as he continues to live in United 
States territory. 

Does the American government expect aliens 
to obey the laws of the country ? 

The government expects aliens living in the 
United States to respect and obey the laws of the 
country, just as American citizens are expected 
to respect and obey them. 

Can aliens vote, help to make the laws, or help 
in any way in the government of the United States ? 



THE RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF ALIENS 



209 



Until he has become a citizen an alien cannot 
vote or take any part in making laws in the United 
States. 

How can an alien do his duty toward the govern- 
ment for the protection it gives him during his 
residence here ? 

The alien can perform his duty toward the 
United States government : — 

1. By leading an honest, peaceable life. 

2. By attending to his own business. 

3. By respecting and obeying all laws and all 
officers of the law. 

4. By fitting himself to become a citizen. 

5. By becoming a citizen as soon as the law will 
allow him to do so. 





LESSON 72 






Naturalization 




immigrate 


process 


permitted 


presidency 


requirements 


continuous 


qualified 


eligible 


continuously 



The United States government allows the natives 
of other countries to immigrate to the United 
States and be naturalized as American citizens. 



210 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

What is naturalization ? 

Naturalization is a process of law by which 
foreigners are admitted to American citizen- 
ship. 

Through naturalization foreigners are permitted 
to share the protection, rights, privileges, and op- 
portunities accorded to native citizens. 

Does naturalization do more than give to 
immigrants the rights and advantages of native 
citizens ? 

The law that grants to foreigners the protection, 
rights, and advantages of American citizenship 
enjoins upon them all the duties and responsibili- 
ties of American citizenship. 

Are all the rights to which American citizens 
are entitled given, by naturalization, to foreign- 
born citizens ? 

The law of naturalization gives to foreign-born 
citizens the same rights given to native-born 
citizens with but one exception. 

What is the exception ? 

A foreign-born citizen cannot be nominated for 
the presidency of the United States. 

What are the requirements for citizenship? 



NATURALIZATION 211 

At least five years continuous residence in the 
United States is necessary before an immigrant 
can become a citizen of the United States. 

If one has lived in this country continuously 
for five years, is he eligible for citizenship ? 

There are other requirements besides five years 
continuous residence in this country which must 
be met before one is qualified for admission to 
American citizenship. 

LESSON 73 

The Declaration of Intention 

Before papers can be issued admitting a for- 
eigner to citizenship in the United States he must 
have made his declaration of intention. 

He must have lived at least one year in the 
state where he is applying for citizenship. 

When a native of a foreign country becomes an 
American citizen, does his naturalization affect 
other members of his family ? 

When a man becomes a eitizen, his wife and 
minor children become citizens with him. 

An immigrant who intends to make the United 
States his permanent home, and who wishes to 

PLAIN FACTS — 14 



212 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

become a citizen of the United States, must de- 
clare his intention of becoming a citizen. 

The first step toward naturalization is the 
declaration of intention. 

The declaration of intention is called "taking 
out the first papers/' 

Immigrants who show by their conduct that 
they would make good citizens and live as good 
Americans may upon declaration of intention 
take the first steps toward becoming citizens. 

When may a declaration of intention be made ? 

An immigrant, who is eighteen years old or 
over, may take out his first papers any time after 
coming to the country. 

Is it well for the foreigner to declare his intention 
of becoming a citizen shortly after his arrival in 
this country ? 

Before making a declaration of intention it 
would be well for the immigrant to wait some 
time, at least until he can understand and speak 
English. 

Can a man take out his first papers and make 
application for full naturalization at the same 
time? 



THE DECLARATION OF INTENTION 213 

The declaration of intention must be made at 
least two years before full naturalization papers 
can be issued. 

When an immigrant declares his intention of 
becoming an American citizen, he takes an oath 
before a court that he will no longer be a subject 
of any foreign government. 

He renounces his allegiance to his own country 
and flag. 

When should the first papers be taken out ? 

If one wishes to perform the duties of an Ameri- 
can citizen, and enjoy the rights of American 
citizenship, he should declare his intention of 
becoming a citizen within three years after his 
arrival in the United States. 

If he delays in declaring his intention, is it ever 
too late to declare it? 

It is never too late to declare an intention of be- 
coming a citizen. 



214 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

LESSON 74 

Preparation for Naturalization 

All aliens who earnestly wish to become citizens 
will prepare themselves for naturalization by 
learning : — 

1. How to speak, read, and write English. 

2. Something of the Constitution of the United 
States. 

3. Why the Constitution was established. 

4. Why America is called the United States. 

5. How America became the United States. 

6. How many states there were originally in the 
Union. 

7. How many states there are now in the 
Union. 

8. The form of government in the United States. 

9. How the United States is governed. 

10. The meaning of organized government. 

11. The need for organized government. 

12. Who is the chief executive officer of the 
United States government. 

13. The name of the president of the United 
States. 



PREPARATION FOR NATURALIZATION 215 

14. The duties and work of the president. 

15. Where the president lives while at the head 
of the government. 

16. How the chief executive officer of the United 
States government is elected. 

17. Where our national laws are made. 

18. How and by whom these laws are made. 

19. How senators and congressmen are elected. 

20. How many parts Congress has. 

21. What the parts of Congress are called. 

22. Who is at the head of state government. 

23. The name of the chief executive officer of 
your state. 

24. Why we need state laws. 

25. Where our state laws are made. 

26. How and by whom our state laws are made. 

27. How our state law makers are chosen. 

28. How many branches there are in state 
government. 

29. The need of city government. 

30. How city laws are made. 

31. How city law makers are chosen. 

32. The chief executive officers of city 
government. 



216 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

LESSON 75 

Can all Aliens become American Citizens? 

considers admission reason moral 

favorably disposed prove fitness 

The government of the United States considers 
the application for naturalization of all aliens 
who can show that they are fit to become Ameri- 
can citizens. 

Before papers can be issued admitting aliens 
to citizenship, the government must be satisfied 
that the applicant is fit for citizenship. 

All aliens who wish to be naturalized must 
prove that they are worthy subjects for 
naturalization. 

An alien who seeks admission to United States 
citizenship must prove — 

1. That he has a good reason for being in this 
country. 

2. That he is a man of good moral character. 

3. That he lived as a good citizen in his native 
country. 

4. That he has not been guilty of crime. 



CAN ALL ALIENS BECOME AMERICAN CITIZENS? 217 

5. That he has lived five years continuously in 
this country. 

6. That he understands and can speak English. 

7. That he can read and write in English. 

8. That he understands the Constitution and 
laws of the United States. 

9. That he is favorably disposed toward the 
Constitution and laws of the United States. 

10. That he is willing to respect and obey the 
laws of the United States. 

11. That he is properly informed about United 
States government. 

12. That he understands the government and 
laws of his state and city. 

13. That he knows and understands what are 
the duties of every American citizen. 

LESSON 76 
Aliens who are denied Citizenship 

Not all aliens can become citizens. 

The law that admits to citizenship all deserving 
and worthy applicants denies naturalization to 
persons who would be undesirable as citizens. 



218 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

The government denies citizenship to aliens 
who are in the United States because they were 
lawbreakers in their native land. 

Persons who have been guilty of crime cannot 
be admitted to American citizenship. 

The law denies citizenship to anarchists. 

A polygamist cannot become an American 
citizen. 

A person of doubtful moral character cannot be 
admitted to citizenship. 

Aliens who cannot speak, read, and write Eng- 
lish cannot become American citizens. 

Persons who have neglected to become properly 
informed about the government of the United 
States cannot be naturalized as citizens. 

Persons who are ignorant of state and city laws 
are denied citizenship. 

Aliens who are unaware of the duties of an 
American citizen cannot become American citizens. 



HOW TO APPLY FOR FIRST PAPERS 219 







LESSON 


77 






How 


TO APPLY FOR 


First Papers 


clerk 




complexion 


blank 


information 


truthfully 


height 


visible 


distinction 



An alien who has reached the age of eighteen 
years, and who wishes to become an American 
citizen, may go before any state or United States 
court and declare his intention of becoming a 
citizen. 

The clerk of the court will give the applicant 
a blank upon which is printed a set of questions. 

These blanks are uniform in all states and are 
prepared by Congress for the use of aliens who wish 
to take the first steps toward becoming American 
citizens. 

The blanks are issued through the United States 
Department of Labor naturalization service, 
Washington, D. C. 

These blanks are called " Facts for Declaration 
of Intention/ ' and they ask for information 
concerning the applicant. On the next page you 
may see a copy of one of these blanks. 



220 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

FACTS FOR DECLARATION OF INTENTION 



department oi Commerce anti Hafcor 

NATURALIZATION SERVICE 

©Hasfchtfltott 



NOTE. — A copy of this form should he furnished hy the clerk of the 
court to each applicant for a declaration of intention, so that he can at 
his leisure fill in the answers to the questions. After being filled out the 
form is to be returned to the clerk, to be used by him in properly filling 
oat the declaration. 

TO THE APPLICANT. — The fee of one dollar must be paid to the 
clerk of the court before he commences to fill out the declaration of 
intention. 

Name: Age: years. 

(Do not abbreviate any part of name by initial or otherwise.) (Give age at last birthday.) 

Occupation : 

Color : Complexion : 

Height : feet inches . Weight : pounds. 

Color of hair : Color of eyes : 

Other visible distinctive marks : 



(If no visible distinctive marks so state.) 

Where torn : , 

(City or town.) (Country.) 

Date of birth: , , 

(Month.) (Day.) (Year.) 

Present residence: , , 

(Number and street.) (City or town.) (State, Territory, or District.) 

Emigrated from: , 

(Port of embarkation.) (Country.) 

Name of vessel : 

(If the applicant arrived otherwise than by vessel, the character of conveyance 
or name of transportation company should be given.) 

Last place of foreign residence: , 

(City or town.) (Country.) 

lam now a subject of and intend to renounce allegiance to* ( Se <> note -) 

QSame.) (Title.) 

Date of arrival in United States : , , 

(Month.) (Day.) (Year.) 

Port of arrival: , 

(City or town.) (State or Territory.) 

* Note. — If applicant is a citizen of a foreign Republic he should fill in the following 
line in lieu of the above, writing the name of the Republic only. 

I am now a citizen of and intend to renounce allegiance to the 
Republic of 



HOW TO APPLY FOR FIRST PAPERS 221 

The correct information must be given and the 
blank returned to the clerk of the court. 

When the blank has been properly filled out 
and returned to the clerk, he uses it in filling out 
the declaration of intention. 

There is no fee charged for the blank form called 
"Facts for Declaration of Intention." 

There must be paid to the clerk of the court a 
fee of one dollar before he begins to fill out the 
Declaration of Intention. 

The information asked for in the blank form 
must be truthfully given by the applicant. 

The alien is first asked to give his name in full. 

He must then give his age at his last birthday. 

The name of his present occupation is asked for. 

He must state whether he is white or colored. 

He is asked to give the color of his complexion. 

His height in feet and inches must be given. 

He is asked how many pounds he weighs. 

The color of his hair and his eyes is asked for. 

If the applicant has any visible distinctive 
marks, he is asked to describe them. 

He must tell in what country, also in what city 
or town, he was born. 



222 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

The day, month, and year of his birth must be 
accurately given. 

The state, city, or town, street, and number of 
his present residence must be given. 

He must tell from what country he emigrated, 
and the name of the port from which he sailed. 

The name of the vessel which carried him to 
America must be given. 

He must state the name of the country, also 
the city or town, of his last place of foreign resi- 
dence. The name and title of the king or ruler of 
whom the applicant is a subject must be given. 

The applicant is then asked to declare his in- 
tention of renouncing his allegiance to this king 
or ruler. 

The date, month, and year of his arrival in the 
United States is asked for. 

He is asked to name the port of his arrival in 
this country. In giving the name of the port of 
arrival he must also give the name of the city and 
state of his arrival. 

The applicant cannot apply for full naturaliza- 
tion until after two years from the date upon which 
he takes out his first papers. 



PROOF OF AN ALIEN'S ARRIVAL IN AMERICA 223 

The first papers are void after seven years from 
the date upon which the declaration of intention is 
made. 

LESSON 78 
Proof of an Alien's Arrival in America 

The law requires proof of the arrival in this 
country of all aliens who came here after a certain 
date, and who wish to be naturalized as citizens. 

All aliens who arrived in America since June 29, 
1906, must have a certificate of arrival if they 
wish to become American citizens. 

Where and how may a certificate of arrival be 
obtained ? 

A certificate of arrival may be obtained through 
the Department of Labor, naturalization service, 
Washington, D. C. 

There are blank forms called "Request for 
Certificate of Arrival. " (See next page.) 

One of these forms properly filled out and sent 
to the division of naturalization, Department of 
Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C, together 
with another required form, will procure a certif- 
icate of arrival. 



224 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

REQUEST FOR CERTIFICATE OF ARRIVAL 

FOR USE OF ALIENS ARRIVING AFTER JUNE 29, 1906 



U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR 

NATURALIZATION SERVICE 

Notice to the Clerk of the Court : 

This form is to be used only where an alien arrived in this country 
after June 29, 1906. 

When an alien desires to petition for naturalization, this form should be given to him 
before he is permitted to file his petition, and the execution of the petition for naturalization 
should not be commenced until the certificate of arrival is received by the clerk of the court. 
The alien should be directed to complete the letter below and carefully fill in all the blanks 
in this form, as the information is necessary to obtain the certificate of arrival, and will aid 
the clerk of the court in filing the petition for naturalization. The alien should then mail 
this form to the Commissioner of Naturalization, Department of Labor, Washington, D. C. 

That official will at once take steps to obtain and forward to the clerk of the court the 
certificate of arrival required by section 4 of the act of June 29, 1906, to be attached to and 
made a part of the petition at the time of its filing. The statement of facts will also be for- 
warded to the clerk of the court. Notice will also be given to the alien that the certificate 
has been sent to the clerk of the court named by him. 



Commissioner of Naturalization, 

U. S. Department of Labor, 

Washington, D. C. 

Sir : I came to this country after June 29, 1906. Please obtain 
a certificate showing my arrival in the United States and forward 
it to the Clerk of the 

(Give on those two lines title of court, and city or town, and 
county and State where court is located in which the petition will be tiled.) 

for filing as the law requires, with the petition for naturalization 
which I intend to file in that court. 

In the accompanying statement I have given the date I landed 
and the place of my arrival and shown the facts which will go in 
my petition for naturalization when it is filed. 

Respectfully, 

(Sign name in full.) 



(Give address here.) 

4®= NOTICE TO THE APPLICANT FOR NATURALIZATION: Please send your 
declaration of intention to the Bureau of Naturalization, with this applica- 
tion. It will be filed with the clerk of the court for you at the time the cer- 
tificate of your arrival is sent to him. 



PROOF OF AN ALIEN'S ARRIVAL IN AMERICA 225 

What is the other required form? 

It is the form called "Facts for Petition for 
Naturalization/ ' You will see a copy of it on 
pages 226, 227. 

One of these forms must also be properly and 
truthfully filled out and sent with the request for 
certificate of arrival. 

In making out the forms for "Request for 
Certificate of Arrival/ ' the petitioners must use 
great care. 

In making out "Facts for Petition for Natural- 
ization/ ' very great care is necessary. 

The petitioner cannot obtain his certificate of 
arrival if he makes mistakes in filling out his re- 
quest for it. 

If he makes mistakes or misstatements in giving 
his facts for petition for naturalization, he cannot 
obtain his certificate of arrival. 

When the petitioner receives his certificate of 
arrival, it should be filed in court together with his 
petition for naturalization. 

When these papers have been filed in court a 
certain length of time, the petitioner may apply to 
the court for full naturalization. 



226 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR 

NATURALIZATION SERVICE 

FACTS FOR PETITION FOR NATURALIZATION 



(Give here name used in Declaration of Intention, and do not abbreviate 
any part of name, by initial or otherwise.) 

1. My place of residence is , 

(Number and name of street.) (City or town.) 



(Country.) (State, Territory, or District.) 

2. My present occupation is 



3. I was born on the day of , 18__, at 

(City or town.) 



(Country.) 



, and my last foreign residence was 



(City or town.) (Country.) 

4. I emigrated to the United States from 

(Port of embarkation.) 

, on or about the day of , 19. 

(Country.) 



and arrived at the port of , , on the 

(Port of arrival.) (State.) 

day of , 19__, on the vessel , of the Line, 

by first cabin , second cabin , steerage 

(If the alien arrived otherwise than by vessel, the character of conveyance or name of trans 
portation company should be given.) 

at which time my height was feet inches; complexion, 

color of hair, ; color of eyes, ; occupation, 



destined to , , and accompanied by 

(City or town.) (State.) 

destined to 

(Person or persons to whom destined.) 

(If the alien came under some other name than his own name, the 
name used on the steamship must be given here, or the record of 
arrival cannot be found.) 



(If the alien arrived as a stowaway or deserting seaman, or in any 
other manner than as a passenger, please so state.) 

5. I declared my intention to become a citizen of the United States on the 
day of , 19__, at , in the Court of 

(Location of court.) 



FULL NATURALIZATION 227 



_ T . , ,, husband's was 

6. lam married. My .» , name. . 



(Petitioner, if a widower, should give the name of his wife when living, and state place of 
her birth; if not married, he should enter " not " in first sentence. In both cases surplus 
words should be struck through.) 

He . , is now deceased. 

_, was born in , and . , 

one (City or town.) (Country.) now resides at 

(City or town.) (Country.) 

I have child __, whose name , date and place of birth, and 

place of residence are as follows : 



, born day of 

, born day of 

, born day of 

, born day of 

, born day of 

, born day of 

, born day of 

7. I now owe allegiance to 



._, at ; resides at. 

._ , at ; resides at. 

._,at ; resides at. 

_,at ; resides at. 

_,at ; resides at. 

.-, at ; resides at. 

._,at ; resides at. 



(Name of sovereign and country.) 

8. I am able to speak the English language. 

9. I have resided continuously in the United States since the day of 

State 
, 19__, and in the Territory of since the __ day of , 19 __ 

District 

10. I have heretofore made petition for United States citizenship. 

(If petitioner lias heretofore inade application for citizenship, the 
facts required should he fully stated in the following hlanks.) 

I previously petitioned for citizenship tb the Court, at 

(City or town.) (State, Territory, or District.) 

on the day of , 1__, which was denied for the following 



The cause of such denial has since been cured or removed. 

(Sign name in full.) 



PLAIN FACTS 15 



228 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

OILY ALIENS WHO EITERED THE UNITED STATES THROUGH CANADA OR MEXICO SHOULD ANSWER 
THE QUESTIONS ON THIS PAGE, AND THEI SHOULD BE ANSWERED IN ADDITION TO THE OTHER 
QUESTIONS ON THE REMAINING PAGES. 

Kefer to your passport, ship's card, and baggage labels, if you have any, to help you 
answer these questions. Mail your passport or ship's card to the Bureau of Naturalization 
with this form and it will be returned after it has been examined. 

1. My full name as given at time of sailing from Europe was 



2. My age as given at time of sailing from Europe was 



3. I sailed on the vessel 

(Give name. If you cannot remember name of vessel, give the line.) 

4. The following are the names of the members of my family who 

came with me and other passengers on the vessel on which I 
sailed 



5. I arrived at seaport of , in Mexico' 

on _, , 

(Month.) (Day.) (Year.) 

6. My destination in ^^eo was - 

(If alien informed immigration authorities at port of embarkation and at port of arrival in Canada or 
Mexico that he had no intention of remaining in that country, please so state.) 

7. I was going to join 

(Here give name of person and address.) 



I was examined for admission into the United States at 

(If not examined, write " not " in blank space.) 

(If you were examined on a train, state tnis fact also.) 

My full name as given when examined for admission into the 
United States was 



10. I entered the United States on , , 

(Month.) (Day.) (Year.) 

at 

(Give name of place at border of the United States.) 



FULL NATURALIZATION 229 





LESSON 79 






Full Naturalization 




previous 


witness 


personally 


eligible 


resided 


character 



If eligible for citizenship, the alien may peti- 
tion the court for full naturalization two years 
after he has made his declaration of intention. 

To be eligible for full naturalization, the peti- 
tioner must have reached his twenty-first birthday. 

He must be a man of good character. 

He must have resided in the United States 
continuously for five years. 

He must have been a resident of the state for 
one year previous to the time he petitions for 
naturalization. 

He must have filed with the court his certificate 
of arrival (if he came to this country after the 
date given in a previous lesson). 

He must have filed with the court his Facts for 
Petition for Naturalization. 

He must have witnesses to prove to the court 
that he is eligible for citizenship. 



230 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTUTE CITIZENS 

These witnesses must be men of good character. 

They must be American citizens. 

They must be able to prove to the court that 
they are American citizens. 

The witnesses must have known the petitioner 
personally for at least five years previous to the 
time he makes application for naturalization. 

The petitioner must be prepared to answer any 
questions put to him by the court. 

The witnesses may be asked questions, and they 
must be able to answer them. 

If, in the opinion of the court, the petitioner 
would be a good citizen, he is asked to take the 
oath of allegiance. 

The petitioner again declares his intention of 
becoming a United States citizen. 

He renounces his allegiance to his own country 
and to any foreign nation or ruler. 

He pledges his allegiance to his new country. 

He pledges himself to be a United States citizen. 

The court then grants him a certificate of natu- 
ralization. 

The certificate of naturalization shows that the 
alien has been made a citizen of the United States. 



VOTES AND VOTERS 



231 




A Voting Booth. 



LESSON 80 



Votes and Voters 



What is a vote ? 
To vote is to choose. 
To vote is to help elect. 
Who are voters ? 
One who votes is called a voter. 
We have learned what a native-born American 
citizen is. 
We have read what an alien is. 



232 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

We have learned what kind of an alien may 
become an American citizen. 

And we have learned what kind of an alien can- 
not become an American citizen. 

In our lessons on preparation for citizenship we 
read of the many qualifications for naturalization. 

We have also read of the various steps to be 
taken by the alien on his way to citizenship. 

When admitted to citizenship, we know that he 
is entitled to vote at elections. 

Let us see why the naturalized citizen is entitled 
to vote at elections. 

Because the court has made him a citizen of the 
United States. 

The court has given him the rights and privileges 
accorded native-born American citizens. 

We know that in America the people have the 
right to govern their country. 

Who gives the people of America the right to 
govern their country ? 

The Constitution of the United States says that 
our country must be governed by officers chosen 
by the people. 

How are these officers of government chosen? 



VOTES AND VOTERS 233 

They are chosen by the will of the people. 

The law gives the people the right to express 
their will by voting. 

We see that the will of the people is shown by the 
way they vote at elections. 

If we are to have good government, we must 
have honest, intelligent officers of government. 

If we are to have good officers to govern our 
country, we must have intelligent voters to elect 
good men. 

Every man who has a right to vote should vote. 

Every voter should know why he votes. 

He should know what he votes for. 

A man should value his vote very highly. 

He should not sell his vote. 

It is against the law to buy or sell a vote. 

A man should not be influenced to vote con- 
trary to his wishes. 

He should know the right and vote for the right. 

As voters are responsible for our government 
every voter should use his right to vote by voting 
intelligently to elect good men to do the great work 
of governing our country. 



234 



PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 





LESSON 


81 




How Voters 


HELPED TO 


SAVE THE 


Union 


political 


extent 


curse 


cabin 


indivisible 


ability- 


slave 


opposed 


proclamation 


agitated 


fences 


restored 


overthrow 


human 


rails 


disposed 


majority 


being 


split 


master 



On February 12, 1809, in a log cabin in Kentucky, 
a boy was born. 

This boy was the son of very poor parents. 

The baby was named Abraham Lincoln. 

When Abraham was a young boy, about seven 
years old, his father moved from Kentucky to the 
state of Indiana. 

As a boy, Abraham loved to help his father with 
his work, but, above all, he loved to study. 

He was very eager to learn, and he studied 
hard. 

There was no school near his home, and he there- 
fore had to walk several miles to a schoolhouse. 

He attended school for a while, but he was too 
poor to go to school long. 



HOW VOTERS HELPED TO SAVE THE UNION 235 



How was he to get clothes and books and other 
needful articles ? 

He must work to earn all these things. 

He earned a little money by working on neigh- 
bors^ farms. . 

He bought books with the first money he earned. 

At one time he worked 
as a boatman on the Ohio 
and Mississippi rivers. 

Busy as he was earning 
his living, he never neg- 
lected to study. 

He studied at night and 
during every spare moment 
of the daytime. 

When Abraham was 
twenty-one years old, his father moved to the 
state of Illinois. 

Abraham helped his father build a log cabin for 
their new home. 

He split logs into rails to make fences around 
his father's fields. 

He split many rails for the farmers in the 
neighborhood. 




Abraham Lincoln. 



236 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

Then for a time he worked at storekeeping. 

But Abraham Lincoln was not satisfied with 
what he had been doing. 

He was too fond of his books to be content to 
settle down at railsplitting or storekeeping. 

He wanted to study law, but was too poor to 
give the time to it. 

He next became the postmaster of his town. 

At odd times he studied surveying and became 
a good surveyor. 

He earned some money at surveying, and then 
he took time to study law. 

He became a good lawyer, and gave valuable 
aid to those who needed his advice. 

He gave his services free to all who were too poor 
to pay for them. 

When Abraham Lincoln was twenty-five years 
old, the voters of his district elected him to the 
legislature of his state. 

He was reelected and gave valuable service to 
his state for several terms. 

While a member of the state legislature, Abra- 
ham Lincoln helped to make laws for the govern- 
ment of the people in his state. 



HOW VOTERS HELPED TO SAVE THE UNION 237 

In 1846 he was elected a member of Congress. 

He was again the choice of the voters in his 
district. 

As congressman, he helped to make the laws 
for the government of the nation. 

While Abraham Lincoln was serving his country 
as congressman, the whole nation was excited over 
the question of slavery. 

Some of the Southern states were slave states. 

A slave is the property of a master, and can be 
disposed of as the master chooses. 

The people of the South owned negro slaves. 

Many of the Southern people believed that 
slavery was right. 

The people of the North had no slaves. 

Some of the Northern people did not think slav- 
ery was a good thing for the nation. 

The slave owners wanted to keep their slaves. 

Many of the people in the North wanted to do 
away with slavery. 

Abraham Lincoln did not believe in slavery. 

He thought it was a curse to the nation. 

He believed that every human being should be 
free. 



238 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

While thousands of people believed as he did, 
Abraham Lincoln talked against slavery and 
brought many others to think as he did. 

While the people of the United States were 
agitated over the question of slavery, the time to 
elect a president drew near. 

In 1860 the party opposed to the extension of 
slavery nominated Abraham Lincoln for president. 

The slave owners did not want him elected 
president. 

They knew that he would do all in his power to 
prevent slavery from being carried into the new 
states that might be formed. But it was left to 
the voters of the Union to decide. 

Did the majority of the voters want slavery? 

Let us see what was the will of the people. 

Again the will of the majority of the people 
became known by the way they voted. 

They voted to elect Abraham Lincoln president 
of the United States. 

The majority of the voters agreed that slavery 
must not be introduced into states where it did 
not then exist. 

From the time of Abraham Lincoln's election as 



HOW VOTERS HELPED TO SAVE THE UNION 239 

president some of the Southern states prepared to 
leave the Union. 

These states left the union and decided to form a 
separate nation in which slavery should be every- 
where permitted by law. 

The people of the North and many of the South- 
ern people did not want these slave-holding states 
to leave the Union. 

When Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated presi- 
dent, he said : — 

"No state can lawfully get out of the Union. 

"To the extent of my ability I shall take care 
that the laws of the Union be faithfully executed in 
all the states." 

Then followed a terrible war which lasted four 
years. 

This was known as the Civil War. 

Many slaves were freed by President Lincoln 
during the war. 

In 1863 the president sent out a Proclamation, 
giving freedom to the slaves in all the states that 
were then at war with the United States. 

In 1864 Abraham Lincoln was again the choice 
of the voters for president. 



240 PLAIN FACTS FOR FUTURE CITIZENS 

Soon after this the war was brought to an end. 
Peace was restored, and the Union was preserved. 

Abraham Lincoln had led the people in saving 
the Union. 

The nation was not divided. 

It is and ever shall be "one nation, indivisible, 
with liberty and justice for all." 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

029 809 807 6 



